Alabama vs Louisiana-Monroe Odds, Prediction & Picks – College Football Week 2

• Alabama is a massive 34.5-point home favorite over Louisiana-Monroe in Week 2 action on Saturday
• The Crimson Tide managed just 17 points in their season-opening loss to Florida State
• Check out the Alabama vs Louisiana-Monroe prediction, odds and best bets below

Alabama enters Week 2 in unfamiliar territory after dropping their opener 31-17 to Florida State. The Crimson Tide offense sputtered to just 341 total yards, and now they’ll be without star receiver Ryan Williams, who’s doubtful with a concussion.

Louisiana-Monroe rolls into Tuscaloosa fresh off a 29-0 demolition of Saint Francis. The Warhawks ran for 311 yards in that contest, but facing Alabama’s defense is a completely different animal. Online sportsbooks have installed the Tide as 34.5-point favorites in the college football odds, though sharp money has already moved this line down from an opener of 37.5.

Alabama vs Louisiana-Monroe Odds

The spread opened at Alabama -37.5 before sharp action knocked it down to -34.5. The total has also dropped from 51.5 to 49.5, suggesting bettors expect a lower-scoring affair than initially projected.

Per the college football public betting trends, the public is hammering Alabama, but the smart money appears to be on the Warhawks and the points.

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Alabama vs Louisiana-Monroe Prediction

• Louisiana-Monroe +34.5 (-110 at Caesars)
• Under 49.5 (-112 at Caesars)

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This feels like a classic look-ahead spot for Alabama. Wisconsin looms next week, and the Tide might struggle to get fully motivated for an overmatched Sun Belt opponent. They’re also dealing with injuries to key players, including Ryan Williams and running back Jam Miller.

The offense managed just 3.0 yards per carry against Florida State, and quarterback Ty Simpson threw for 254 yards but struggled with consistency. Louisiana-Monroe’s game plan is simple: run the ball and chew clock. They averaged 7.2 yards per carry in Week 1, and while Alabama’s athletes are superior, the Tide allowed 230 rushing yards to FSU.

If the Warhawks can sustain drives, they’ll limit Alabama’s possessions and keep this closer than expected. The Crimson Tide defense held FSU to reasonable numbers, but they’re facing a ULM team that won’t challenge them vertically. Quarterback Aidan Armenta threw for just 123 yards in the opener and had more interceptions than touchdowns last season.

Key Matchups to Watch

Alabama Offensive Line vs Louisiana-Monroe Front Seven

The Tide’s offensive line needs a bounce-back performance after allowing three sacks to FSU. Louisiana-Monroe allowed over 200 rushing yards per game to FBS opponents last season. If Alabama can’t dominate the trenches against an overmatched Sun Belt defense, deeper problems exist.

Louisiana-Monroe Rushing Attack vs Alabama Run Defense

This is where ULM can make their money. The Warhawks’ B. McReynolds will get enough touches to control tempo, though they’re missing last year’s star Ahmad Hardy who transferred to Missouri. Alabama’s run defense looked vulnerable against Florida State, and if ULM can consistently move the chains on the ground, they’ll cover this massive number.

Alabama vs Louisiana-Monroe Picks

The under is the strongest play here. Alabama scored just 17 points in Week 1, their lowest output since last year’s South Florida game. Six of their last eight games have gone under the total. Without Williams and Miller, the Tide lack explosive playmakers.

Kalen DeBoer won’t be chasing style points after last week’s embarrassment. He needs a clean game and a comfortable win. With Simpson managing the game and a committee approach at running back, expect Alabama to grind this out methodically.

Louisiana-Monroe faces a massive talent gap and likely won’t find the end zone. Their best hope is bleeding clock and avoiding turnovers. Armenta’s limitations as a passer mean Alabama can load the box and dare them to throw.

Alabama should win comfortably, but I predict the Warhawks do enough to secure a backdoor cover. The Tide are just 2-6-1 ATS in their last nine FBS games, consistently failing to meet market expectations. Meanwhile, ULM is 4-1 ATS in their last five contests as large underdogs.

Recent History

These teams last met in 2022 when Alabama cruised 63-7. But this Alabama squad looks nothing like those dominant Saban teams. The most famous meeting remains ULM’s shocking 21-14 upset in Tuscaloosa back in 2007, proof that overlooking any opponent can be costly.