Alabama football vs. Missouri final odds and prediction

It's anybody's guess what version of Alabama football we are going to see this afternoon againt Missouri on Saban Field. Will we finally see the version that blasted Georgia in the game's first 19 minutes? The version that dominated Wisconsin at Camp Randall? Or will it be more of the same Crimson Tide team we've seen the last three games?

After beating Georgia, Alabama lost to Vanderbilt, edged South Carolina at home, and then practically gave the game away last week in Knoxville against Tennessee.

It's been a disappointing season so far for a spoiled fanbase unused to multiple losses by this time of the year. Until last week, the last time Alabama had lost more than a single game before November was all the way back in 2007. A third loss before November hasn't happened since before the Nick Saban era began.

The 12-team playoff era has given Alabama renewed life, however. Every year up until now losing a second game would have been a death sentence. Not in 2024. This team still has the ability to make the playoff; they just have to win their remaining five regular season games.

You can't win five in a row without winning the first one!

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of FanDuel

Spread: Alabama -15.5

Over/Under: 51.5

This spread has been all over the place with the uncertainty surrounding Missouri QB Brady Cook. He started the week as doubtful, but was listed as questionable on Missouri's latest injury report. According to Pete Thamel, Cook is going to try to give it a go:

Final Prediction:

If Cook plays, unless he's completely hampered by the injury he suffered against Auburn last week, it's hard for me to see Alabama covering such a big spread against a good Missouri squad. Based on the way the team has played the last three weeks, I'm not sure there's a team in the SEC I'd be comfortable predicted them to win againstby three scores.

Alabama has to get pressure on Cook or backup Drew Pyne and prevent them from having the time to find Luther Burden or Theo Wease down the field for big plays. If they can do that, then the defense should have success.

I'm more concerned about the offense finding an identity and having any sort of consistent success.

Overall, I think Alabama wins this game at home, but, like most games this season, I don't expect to have much fun watching it.

Pick: Alabama 28, Missouri 19