Alabama Game Saturday: Crimson Tide vs. New Mexico State odds and prediction for week 11 game
By Ronald Evans
![[Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F45bd468f24afb418a0a0f9c7d27a624e6234d9512fce6e468d58f26e17b47d16.jpg "[Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]")
Saturday morning in Bryant-Denny Alabama will host the New Mexico State Aggies. In September 2019, the Alabama Crimson Tide smashed New Mexico State 62-10. The Aggies’ program will be back for another big payday. For New Mexico State players the game will provide future decades of stories about going toe to toe with the mighty Crimson Tide.
Typically this would be a rat poison week for Nick Saban. If the Alabama head coach chooses that theme, it will a considerable stretch to warn about the risks of playing the Aggies. There will be injury risk but finding any other danger against such a weak opponent would be a challenge.
The Aggies had a winning record last in 2017, going 7-6 in their last season in the Sun Belt Conference. Their only other winning season this century was a 7-5 record in 2002.
In a COVID-impacted 2020 season, the Aggies were 1-1, with a win over Dixie State and a loss to Tarleton State. In the 2018 and 2019 seasons, New Mexico State had a combined record of 5-19. So far in the 2021 season, they are 1-8. Hawaii has beaten them twice this season. Their win was 43-35 over South Carolina State.
How bad are the Aggies? In Jeff Sagarin’s rankings of 258 FBS and FCS teams, the Aggies are No. 183. For comparison, Mercer is ranked No. 154.
Other than notching another win, there is not much to be gained by the Alabama Crimson Tide beating a bad team.
Why Alabama Will Win
The Crimson Tide could start its third units, and win the game. It will not of course, as the Alabama football coaching staff will try to use the game as a development tool.
What Will Happen
The best outcome for the Crimson Tide, beyond a guaranteed win, will be not losing any key player to injury. Freshmen Kool-Aid McKinstry and Dallas Turner will get valuable playing time. Nicked-up players like Josh Jobe and Darrian Dalcourt can be rested if Nick Saban so chooses. It would be good to see Trey Sanders get a heavier load of carries.
Alabama vs. New Mexico State Odds
According to WynnBET, the Alabama Crimson Tide is a 52-point favorite, with the over-under at 67 points.
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Alabama vs. New Mexico State Game Prediction
A sometimes sharp and sometimes not sharp Alabama Crimson Tide wins easily and covers, unless Nick Saban hits the brakes on offense and goes to the reserves early.
Next. Studs and Duds in Tide win over LSU. dark
On Monday, it was announced CBS will broadcast the Alabama vs. Arkansas game on Nov. 20 in its 2:30 PM CST slot.