Alabama vs Fresno State Game Preview: Everything You Need To Know Before Kickoff
Alabama will make its 2017 debut inside Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday against Fresno State and we want to get you set for kickoff.
No. 1 Alabama (1-0) vs Fresno State (1-0)
When: Saturday, September 9 at 2:30 PM/CT
Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa
Weather: Forecasts call for a beautiful day in Tuscaloosa with highs hitting 83 with mostly sunny skies. Kickoff will be the hottest time of the day but it will cool down from there. Expect it to feel closer to 90 degrees at kickoff.
TV: ESPN2 (Play-by-play: Adam Amin, color analyst: Anthony Becht, sideline reporter: Rocky Boiman)
Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network (Play-by-play: Eli Gold, color analyst: Phil Savage, sideline reporter: Chris Stewart). Listen on 95.3 the Bear and Tide 102.9/100.9 in Tuscaloosa.
Spread: Alabama is a 43-point favorite over Fresno State, according to Bovada. The Crimson Tide is just 0-6 against the spread in the games following neutral site season openers.
Series History: These two programs will meet for the first time on Saturday afternoon. Alabama is 6-1 all-time against current members of the Mountain West Conference.
Last Meeting: There haven't been any previous meetings between the Tide and the Bulldogs.
Last Week: Alabama used big plays on special teams to put away No. 3 Florida State, 24-7, in Atlanta. Damien Harris blocked a punt and Dylan Moses forced a fumble on a kickoff return, which led to 10 points in a matter of minutes and put the game away. It wasn't all positive for the Crimson Tide, however. Christian Miller and Terrell Lewis suffered season-ending injuries while fellow linebackers Rashaan Evans and Anfernee Jennings are likely out for at least this game due to injury.
Fresno State matched last season's win total after a 66-0 blowout victory over FCS opponent Incarnate Word. The Bulldogs outgained the Cardinals by nearly 500 yards and held them to a staggering -30 yards rushing.