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Alabama’s CFP National Title Odds Unchanged After Dylan Moses Tears ACL

Ryan Sura

by Ryan Sura in College Football

Updated Jan 6, 2023 · 2:15 AM PST

Losing Dylan Moses is a brutal blow to the Alabama linebacking corps. Photo from @247sports (Twitter)
  • Dylan Moses led Alabama in tackles (86) in 2018
  • Alabama had the fourth best scoring defense in 2018
  • Alabama had five defensive players selected in the 2019 NFL Draft

Alabama was dealt another blow on the injury front ahead of their game against Duke to open the 2019 season, as All-American inside linebacker Dylan Moses suffered a torn ACL in practice and will be out for the year.

Despite losing Moses and fellow inside backer Joshua McMillon to season-ending injuries, the Crimson Tide’s odds to win the National Championship remain unchanged behind Clemson.

Not only has Alabama lost two key players to injury, but they have also lost five of their defensive leaders from last season to the NFL Draft including DT Quinnen Williams, LB Christian Miller, S Deionte Thompson, LB Mack Wilson, and DT Isaiah Buggs. However, the oddsmakers still believe that Alabama is one of the teams to beat this season.

Odds to win 2020 National Championship

2020 National Championship Winner Odds
Clemson +225
Alabama +245
Georgia +650
Ohio State +1000
Oklahoma +1600
Michigan +1600

*Odds taken 8/28/19

The Loss of Dylan Moses

Nick Saban and Alabama have always had the depth to cope with injuries, but the loss of Moses and McMillon will make this season tougher to handle than expected. This means either freshman Shane Lee or redshirt sophomore Markail Benton will get the start in the absence of Moses at linebacker.

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The burden will fall on seniors Raekwon Davis and Anfernee Jennings to make sure this defense holds strong throughout the season.

Offensive Juggernaut

Alabama will have some obstacles to face on defense this season, but this does not mean that the Crimson Tide offense won’t show up. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is back for his third year with the Alabama offense. The Hawaiian might have lost running backs Josh Jacobs and Damien Harris, but he still has an array of weapons at his disposal.

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Tagovailoa has the 2018 Biletnikoff Award winner Jerry Jeudy and running back Najee Harris by his side leading the offense. Jeudy had 1315 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns last season, while Harris had 783 rushing yards and four touchdowns as both are Heisman hopefuls along with Tagovailoa this year.

Alabama player odds to win 2020 Heisman Trophy

2020 Heisman Trophy Winner Odds
QB Tua Tagovailoa +260
RB Najee Harris +3000
WR Jerry Jeudy +6000

Easing Into the Season

In 2018, Alabama was 14-1 SU, 8-7 ATS, and 9-6 O/U. The Crimson Tide have an easier schedule this year, especially to start the season. In Alabama’s first five games of the season, they play Duke, New Mexico State, Southern Mississippi, and Ole Miss at home with just one road game at South Carolina.

Alabama has been to the National Championship the last four years in a row, and have won four National Championships in the past eight years. Yes, their defense will have to deal with some adjustments, but Nick Saban will have schemes and looks ready to put his freshmen and sophomores in places to excel.  The odds for them to win the National Championship right now are the best they will be all year, so jump on them while you still can.

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