Alabama vs. Western Kentucky odds, spread, time: 2024 college football picks, Week 1 predictions from model

The No. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide will play their first game under head coach Kalen DeBoer when they host the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on Saturday. The former Washington coach took over for Nick Saban, who retired at the end of last season. Western Kentucky has won eight or nine games in four of its five seasons under head coach Tyson Helton, but it is still seeking its first Conference USA title since 2016. This is the first meeting between these teams since Alabama cruised to a 38-10 win in 2016.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama is favored by 31.5 points in the latest Alabama vs. Western Kentucky odds, while the over/under is 59.5 points, per SportsLine consensus. Before entering any Western Kentucky vs. Alabama picks, you'll want to see the college football predictions from the model at SportsLine.

The model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, it has generated a profit of well over $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It is also coming off a profitable 13-9 season on top-rated spread picks. Anyone who has followed it has seen strong returns.

The model has set its sights on Alabama vs. WKU . You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several college football betting lines for the game:

• Alabama vs. Western Kentucky spread: Alabama -31.5
• Alabama vs. Western Kentucky over/under: 59.5 points
• Alabama vs. Western Kentucky money line: Alabama -10000, WKU +2025
• Alabama vs. Western Kentucky picks: See picks here

Why Alabama can cover

Alabama might be entering a new era, but it still has the pieces necessary to make a run at another national championship this season. Quarterback Jalen Milroe finished higher in the 2023 Heisman Trophy voting than any other returning player in college football, and he is playing under an elite offensive coach. DeBoer led Washington to an 11-2 record in 2022 before going 14-1 and finishing as the national runner up last season.

The Crimson Tide are coming off an SEC Championship and a College Football Playoff appearance. They return multiple offensive linemen along with a loaded front seven on defense, which does not bode well for a Western Kentucky offense that ranked No. 119 in the FBS in rushing yards per game last season. Alabama has covered the spread in eight straight season openers and has covered in eight of its last 11 games overall. See which team to pick here.

Why Western Kentucky can cover

WKU has made a habit of getting off to a strong start, winning 10 of its last 12 games in Week 1. The Hilltoppers have also covered in eight of their last 12 road games, and they brought in a quality quarterback replacement for Austin Reed. TJ Finley steps into the starting role after posting huge numbers at Texas State last season.

Finley is facing an inexperienced Alabama secondary that is shifting formations under the new coaching staff, so there could be some growing pains. Finley led Texas State to a shocking win over Baylor to open the 2023 campaign, throwing for 298 yards and three touchdowns. He has several quality wide receivers to work with, so Western Kentucky has the pieces to cover this big spread. See which team to pick here.

How to make Alabama vs. Western Kentucky picks

The model has simulated Western Kentucky vs. Alabama 10,000 times and the results are in. The model is leaning Over, and it's also generated a point-spread pick that is hitting in well over 50% of simulations. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Alabama vs. Western Kentucky, and which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Western Kentucky vs. Alabama spread to jump on, all from the advanced computer model that's up well over $2,000 on its top-rated college football spread picks since its inception , and find out.