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It's been at 13 all weekend at Bookmaker.

Preview from Espn analyst

The Crimson Tide are the juggernaut of the SEC and college football. Their defenses since the Nick Saban era have always been top-notch and produced a number of NFL talents.

Michigan had a program revival year last season, after three years of subpar seasons under former head coach Rich Rodriguez and five years since its last BCS berth.

Many scoff at the matchup, particularly because it’s another SEC-Big Ten matchup. Another SEC-Big Ten game, another dreaded debate about "can the Big Ten compete?"

To answer that question, it’s possible that the Big Ten can. It just depends on which offense you face.

The most common opinion on the Big Ten is that it’s too slow to compete against faster teams. Predominantly, the SEC.

But if a Big Ten team, particularly Michigan, wants a chance to beat the SEC, it all starts with a precise gameplan to come out attacking on offense.

Ohio State beat Arkansas in the 2011 Sugar Bowl because it matched Arkansas offensively and contained and slowed down the Arkansas offense when it could on the defensive side.

Evidently for Michigan, Arkansas offense is not comparable to Alabama’s of this year in terms of pro style and being physical.

Containing a ball-control team is extremely hard, especially with a stout defense from top to bottom. Michigan, from the start of the first to the end of fourth, will have its hands full.

On initial glance, Alabama’s speed on the offensive side of the ball is far and beyond unmatched by Michigan's Defense.

Alabama has speed and power at the receiving/rushing ends and on the offensive line, respectively.

Alabama plays a ball-control style similar to the Baltimore Ravens: Run-heavy, but the quarterback has more freedom to throw the ball while maintaining a turnover-free approach.

It’s their 11 on offense versus Michigan’s eleven on defense, and if executed right, they could easily wear down and overpower the Wolverines quickly.

Alabama running back Eddie Lacy has been paying his “40 back” dues as Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson did before him.

His downhill running style will be difficult for Michigan to adapt to, as Alabama will be as physical as possible.

On defense, Alabama should have one primary goal: Attack Denard Robinson.

The past two years Alabama has played Penn State, its quarterbacks have completed 25 out of 69 pass attempts, for a completion percentage of 36.2 and zero touchdowns.

Denard Robinson isn’t a strong passer, even against Big Ten play. If Alabama can play tight man-to-man against the Michigan receivers, it will be a nightmare for Robinson.

Also, Robinson is alpha and omega for Michigan’s offense and if he’s blitzed and knocked around, Michigan’s center point on offense will be lost. Alabama’s defense against the pass-and-run will take care of itself.

The Michigan offense's best bet is to try executing all of its blocks, to give Denard Robinson as much running room as possible.

Each block will be crucial, and Denard is their only hope since Fitz Toussaint is suspended for the time being. It doesn’t have to be wash-down blocks, just enough to give its electrifying quarterback a chance.

Alabama’s defense is severely stacked: The defensive line averages out at just under 300 pounds. An A-game is a necessity for Michigan to try to compete on each down.

Denard Robinson can set up his receivers with screen plays, while dump passes could also work (again, if the blocks are made) but it must be to perfection.

Michigan, on defense, will have a hard time trying to adjust to Alabama’s pro-style/conservative offense. Every starter on Alabama’s offensive line weighs more than 302 pounds, with D.J. Fluker at Right Tackle weighing in at 335 pounds. Michigan’s average defensive lineman weight is only a paltry 269 pounds.

This will be the weak spot for Michigan. Usually SEC teams run high-powered spread attacks. Alabama is a smash-mouth oriented team with an underrated pass attack that puts up numbers and scores.

Michigan has improved its defense, finishing the 2011 season ranked eighth in points allowed last season. Alabama is just a different monster on both sides of the ball, which Michigan has yet to see and Denard Robinson will entirely be dependent upon. Every yard he gets will have to be earned.

That ESPN analysis is pretty accurate.  I can't really argue with anything the writer said.

If Alabama executes relatively well on offense, and I think they will, they'll score almost every time they have the ball.

Jimmy,

Ive been doing everything possible to find a way to like Michigan to win but I guess in my bettor's mind I guess I think Bama will win.  As hard as that is for me to say.  Ive done some extensive research on depth and key positions and see why Bama is going to be so good. 

 I knew it before but I also no this more now than ever.  I also determined that Michigan is surely on its way back recruiting players that are huge and can compete with the big boys in two years!  Michgian has alot of heart on this team but lacks key talent or depth on o line and D line.  The gap seems quite significant.  ALthough I would by know means constitute this a max bet play on bama which you have done but teasing Bama with lets say houston texans week 1 would be an excellent play in my mind. 

Man what would it take for me to bet against my love!  I just couldnt and wouldnt ever do it.  So Jimmy as much as you love bama I understand why.  Just dont be to surprised if Michigan is well coached for this game and fundamentally sound. 

Good luck and I'm very hesitant to write this but I put up some fight for sometime!  I will not be wagering on this one!  But that teaser sounds pretty good!

Michigan will not have their starting RB in. If they cant get any kind of running game established it forces Dennard to throw. That situation will not turn out too well.

If Toussaint plays, then Hoke will convey that he is a Paternolike winning at all cost douche...I don't think he'll play, but the college football world won't know that until maybe the day before the game...this keeps Saban and co off guard in preparation...

I think D Robinson will be passing early and often against Bama's talented yet young secondary...its like a game of chess...the only chance Michigan has is to not play in a predictable manner...i think we are all going to say a Boiselike Gurilla warfare tactical game plan from Michigan.  They know they can't go face to face in the open field against the mightly Bama...I am predicting a very unconventional game play from Michigan...

mtp104

This is a gambling forum where people will have different opinions on games.  So while I very much appreciate your post, you really don't owe me any sort of explanation.  I am here to win as much money as I possibly can.  I take nothing said on an internet forum personally.

I have done extensive research on Michigan over the summer.  I've watched almost all of their games from last season, can pretty much name every player at every position, followed their recruiting very closely, and have been following them throughout their summer and fall camps.  So I'm well aware of what Michigan is and what their capabilities are.

As I said earlier in this thread (I think it was this thread) I am very high on Michigan this season.  I absolutely love their coaching staff.  So I definitely think there will be some great spots to bet them this season, I just don't believe this is one of them.

With respect to Alabama, I don't form my opinion from preseason magazines.  I attend all of their scrimmages (5 so far) and get access to some additional practices as well.  So what I report is based primarily on first-hand observations.  And based upon my study of Michigan and what I have observed from this Alabama team, I think Michigan will get dominated in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

Is that to say Alabama is invincible???  Absolutely not.  I think teams that are very proficient passing the ball could potentially give Alabama trouble in their first game (and beyond).  The problem for Michigan is they are not proficient in the passing game, and as I have said several times previously (and I also said this about JJ in the national championship game), DR has to be able to consistently make some plays in the passing game for Michigan to have any shot at all.  Just as I was convinced JJ would not be able to do it in the national championship game, I don't think DR will be able to do it in this game.  DR is an electrifying athlete, and sure he'll have his moments, but I don't think it will be nearly enough to keep them in this game.

I was fairly impressed with Michigan's defense last season.  They play a very aggressive swarming type defense.  I won't go into great detail here except to say I don't believe they are talented enough or deep enough along the front 4 to hang with the best offensive line in college football.  Although Michigan's strength is their linebackers, I think this is too big of a mismatch for Michigan to overcome.  I honestly think Alabama will score almost every time they have the ball.

The combination of my belief that Michigan's offense will really struggle to score against Alabama's defense, and my belief that Michigan's defense will have a very tough time stopping Alabama's offense leads me to the conclusion that, in the end, this game probably won't be very close.

I do bet against Alabama when I think the situation calls for it.  I did so twice last season and went 1 & 1 in those games.  But if you don't have the stomach to fade your team, then sitting this one out is probably the way to go.

  Best of luck to you this season mtp!!!