The Alabama State Hornets (3-3) and Alabama A&M Bulldogs (3-3) go to battle at historic Legion Field in Birmingham Alabama, on Saturday, Oct. 26. The annual “Magic City Classic” can be seen live on ESPNU with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. ET.
This annual SWAC rivalry has a heated history that has seen the Hornets win the last two in the series.
While there’s no line on this game as of writing, Alabama State is projected as a 3.5-point favorite with a total projected at 53.5.
So, where does the betting value lie? Let’s take a look at my Alabama State vs Alabama A&M predictions and college football picks for Saturday, Oct. 26.
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- Alabama State vs. Alabama A&M Pick: Over 49.5
My Alabama State vs Alabama A&M best bet is on both teams to go over the total. Find the best line on our live NCAAF odds page.
Alabama State vs Alabama A&M Odds, Spread, Lines
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- Alabama State vs Alabama A&M Point Spread: Alabama State -3.5 (-110) · Alabama A&M +3.5 (-110)
- Alabama State vs Alabama A&M Total: Over/Under 49.5
- Alabama State vs Alabama A&M Moneyline: Alabama State -160 · Alabama A&M +135
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Alabama State Hornets Betting Preview: Hornets Find a QB
Alabama A&M comes in off a bye week following its best performance of the season by far in a lopsided 56-12 victory over Bethune Cookman.
The Bulldogs saw quarterback Xavier Lankford complete 15-of-24 passes for 315 yards with a passing touchdown and three rushing touchdowns.
Alabama A&M had been searching for answers in the quarterback room, as four different players took snaps at the position in the first five games of the season.
The run game also got going against BCU, using several explosive rushes in netting 331 yards on the ground on 6.5 yards per carry.
The struggling defense also played its best game of the season. While the Bulldogs come in at 3-3 on the season, two of their victories came over non-Division I opponents.
Alabama A&M Bulldogs Betting Preview: Keye Making Plays
Alabama State is also off of a bye week following a decisive 54-17 victory over Mississippi Valley State. Interestingly, the Hornets were down 14-0 against the Delta Devils in the first four minutes of the game before going on a 54-3 run the rest of the way.
Quarterback Kareem Keye played his best game of the season, completing 14-of-21 passes for 335 yards and four touchdowns against the worst-rated pass defense in FCS.
The Hornet defense played really well after the first couple of series and held MVSU to just 158 total yards and 10 first downs in the game.
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[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”How To Make College Football Picks For My Alabama State vs Alabama A&M Prediction” center=”true” logo1url=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/252389_action-logo-check.png”][/subheader]
If the line comes out around the projection, I’m going to take the over in this matchup.
The Alabama A&M defense is a major liability here. Prior to last week, the Bulldogs had given up 73, 49 and 45 points against Division I competition. They have performed really poorly against any decent competition and have consistently been out of position while surrendering explosive plays.
I would expect the Hornets to have success through the air, as Keye is playing with a lot of confidence after the blowout win.
The Bulldogs also have struggled to get pressure against Division I competition, and their already-poor defensive metrics are skewed by victories over Division II Kentucky State and NAIA Georgetown College.
I do like what the Bulldogs have found here on offense, and the emergence of consistent quarterback play has provided a much-needed spark.
Since Lankford took over, the Bulldogs have scored 38 and 52 points in their games, and having a bye week to continue to build upon those performances will only help here.
Lower-scoring Alabama State games have been predicated on the Hornets’ struggling offense, but this spot here should provide them with chunk plays and quick strikes, something Alabama A&M has been susceptible to all season.
The offense came alive last week, and I see more of the same for Alabama State against a lower-level SWAC defense.
Alabama A&M has finally shown some consistency on offense to go along with a really bad defense. This SWAC battle should be a fun one. As long as the total comes out at 55 or less, it’s worth a play on the over.
Pick: Over 49.5 (Play to 55)
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[subheader sizedown=”true” text=”Alabama State vs Alabama A&M Live: Start Time, TV Channel, How to Watch” center=”true”][/subheader]
| Location: | Legion Field, Birmingham, AL |
| Date: | Saturday, Oct. 26 |
| Kickoff Time: | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | ESPNU |
Alabama State meets Alabama A&M at Legion Field on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
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[gameforecast league=”ncaaf” gameid=”226957″ date=”2024-10-26″][/gameforecast]
