College Football’s Top 25 Games in 2011: #7 Alabama @ Penn State

2011-12 Top 25 College Football Games of the Year
#7 Alabama Crimson Tide @ Penn State Nittany Lions

The Big 10 and the SEC don’t face each other in the regular season all that often, but in the bowl campaign, generally, it is the SEC that rules the roost. Last year, the Alabama Crimson Tide whooped up on the Penn State Nittany Lions in Tuscaloosa, but now that the site has shifted back to Happy Valley, this could turn out to be one of the best duels of the entire season.

Alabama Crimson Tide @ Penn State Nittany Lions Picks & Info
Alabama Crimson Tide @ Penn State Nittany Lions Date: Saturday, September 10th, 2011
Alabama Crimson Tide @ Penn State Nittany Lions Location: Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA
Alabama Crimson Tide @ Penn State Nittany Lions Spread: Penn State Nittany Lions +7.5

The Tide really have a big time chance to make a statement in this one, but it could be a tricky test, knowing that it is the first road game for a team with a ton of new faces. The defense is going to once again be stout, and we expect to see the squad improve upon that 13.5 points per game allowed average a season ago. The questions are going to come offensively, where all of the major skill position players have moved on. The good news is that RB Trent Richardson is already used to carrying the load, and QB AJ McCarron has looked good in his limited role backing up Greg McElroy, so Head Coach Nick Saban doesn’t have a complete empty cupboard to work with. Still, you never know how all of these stars are going to play in their first true road test against another stout defensive unit.

Alabama Crimson Tide @ Penn State Nittany Lions Past Games (Since 1996)
2010: Alabama 24 – Penn State 3

Head Coach Joe Paterno is back for what feels like his 137th season with the Nittany Lions, and this one has some promise to be one of the better that he has had in recent years. QB Robert Bolden and QB Matt McGloin really got in some good reps last year, and they both know what they can expect going against the Alabama defense. This unit still only averaged 24.5 points per game last year, No. 81 in the land, and one would like to think that this game has to stay relatively ugly for the entire 60 minutes for the Nittany Lions to really have a chance.

Alabama Crimson Tide @ Penn State Nittany Lions Game Odds @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 8/6/11):
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Alabama Crimson Tide (-7.5) @ Penn State Nittany Lions