Despite the matchup of two of the biggest brands in college football, the game between Alabama and Texas is predicted to be a lopsided affair.
The Crimson Tide are currently 20-point favorites as it gears up to go on the road against the Longhorns.
But with a talented offensive group led by Bijan Robinson, some believe that Texas might be able to keep pace with the juggernaut and make things interesting.
Stephen A. Smith isn’t one of those people.
During First Take on Tuesday, Smith, Paul Finebaum and Jeff Saturday debated the anticipated game and whether or not Texas would be able to keep things close.
“A beatdown is coming this weekend,” Smith said. “I’m sorry to tell y’all.”
Alabama is coming off a 55-0 win over Utah State and with several key starters returning is expected to be the favorite for the national title. On the flip side, Texas is entering its second season under Steve Sarkisian and following a rough first year is still believed to be a little ways away from competing at the top of college football.
“Let me tell you something right now,” Smith said. “You’re 5-7 last year. You won your opener, but I’ll tell you the biggest piece of evidence I have to validate my point. Sarkisian just told you: ‘It’s just a game. It’s just a game. Please don’t hold it against us. Please don’t hold this butt-whipping coming our way against us.'”
Smith even threw the warning to Texas super fan and actor Matthew McConaughey.
“At the end of the day, Alabama is superior in every way imaginable,” Smith said. “Texas has fallen off the last few years. They trying to get on the come up. I wish them luck.
Even my brother Matthew McConaughey can’t help these boys. There’s a romp coming. Make no mistake about it. Brace yourself.”
On the other hand, Finebaum believes that Alabama’s history of close games last season will carry over once again. The radio host brought up the Crimson Tide’s close calls with Florida and Auburn, as well as its loss to unranked Texas A&M. He also explained that this out-of-conference game could also be overlooked by the defending SEC champions.
“Alabama doesn’t care about this game,” Finebaum said. “This is just a road trip. They just have to go somewhere and get a win. Sometimes that helps the home team that’s a 20-point dog. If you remember last year, Alabama was a big favorite over Florida, they needed a last-second stop. Alabama was a big favorite at A&M. They lost the game. Alabama was a big favorite at Auburn. They went to four overtimes. This is not a great heavy-favorite team on the road.
“They believe Stephen A. Smith. They’re watching down in Tuscaloosa right now, ‘Hey Stephen A. thinks we’re going to blow them out by 40.’ That affects young players.
“We’re going to watch whether Alabama wins by 25 or 17. That’s what we’re talking about.”
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