Koeman ruft – Happy End für bestraften Frimpong?

Unter Ronald Koeman ist die Nationalmannschaftskarriere von Jeremie Frimpong ins Stocken geraten, bevor sie richtig begonnen hat. Doch jetzt hat der Bondscoach den Leverkusener Rechtsverteidiger für das vorläufige Aufgebot der Elftal für die Länderspiele im Oktober nominiert.

Zurück im vorläufigen Aufgebot der Elftal: Leverkusens Jeremie Frimpong.

Zurück im vorläufigen Aufgebot der Elftal: Leverkusens Jeremie Frimpong.

IMAGO/Vitalii Kliuiev

Bislang hat die Chemie zwischen Ronald Koeman und Jeremie Frimpong nicht wirklich gepasst. Nachdem der frühere Profi des FC Barcelona nach der WM in Kater im Herbst 2022 die Nachfolge von Bondscach Louis van Gaal antrat, war der Leverkusener Offensivverteidiger außen vor.

Die harte, aber nicht völlig von der Hand zu weisende Begründung Koemans: Er sehe Frimpong aufgrund dessen Defensivschwächen nicht als einen Rechtsverteidiger in einer Viererkette, auf die der neue Bondscoach lange Zeit setzte. Und offensiv stand Koeman ohnehin vor einer großen Auswahl für sein 4-3-3-System.

Frimpong könnte von Koemans Systemänderung profitieren

Folglich schaffte Frimpong, der bei der WM in Katar immerhin dem niederländischen Kader angehört hatte, aber nie eingesetzt worden war, kein einziges Mal mehr den Sprung ins Aufgebot der Elftal für die Länderspiele, die nach der WM ausgetragen wurden. Doch jetzt hat ihn Koeman zumindest für das vorläufige Aufgebot für die Partien im Oktober nominiert.

Kommt es also doch noch zum Happy End für den Offensivverteidiger, der auch in dieser Saison als rechter Schienenspieler im 3-4-3 zu überzeugen weiß? Wie es der kicker bereits im September angekündigt hatte, sind die Chancen Frimpongs, der in dieser Saison bislang auf eine kicker-Durchschnittsnote von 2,38 kommt, auf eine Nominierung gestiegen, da sich schon vor den jüngsten Länderspielen andeutete, dass Koemann vom 4-3-4 auf ein 3-4-3 wechseln würde. Und in diesem wäre Frimpong, der noch auf sein Debüt für die Efltal wartet, hinter Inter Mailands Denzel Dumfries die klare Nummer 2 in der Elftal.

Mit einer endgültigen Nominierung wäre die Achterbahnfahrt nahezu perfekt

Schafft der Leverkusener den Sprung ins endgültige Aufgebot, wäre die Achterbahnfahrt in Oranje für ihn nahezu perfekt. War der 22-Jährige doch im September von Koeman noch dafür gemaßregelt worden, dass er für die U-21-Europameisterschaft in Georgien und Rumänien im Juni abgesagt hatte, nachdem er für die A-Nationalmannschaft nicht berücksichtigt worden war. Dies könne man durchaus als Strafe verstehen, erkläre Koeman damals.

Doch die Dissonanzen sind, auch nach einem schon vor der Maßnahme erfolgten Gespräch mit Nigel de Jong, dem Sportdirektor des niederländischen Verbandes, offensichtlich aus dem Weg geräumt. WM-Nominierung, Nicht-Berücksichtigung danach, Abstrafung und nun das Comeback? Frimpongs Berg-und-Tal-Fahrt beim Thema Efltal könnte jetzt doch noch ein Happy End finden.

Stephan von Nocks

Diamondbacks vs. Yankees prediction, odds, pick, how to watch – 9/22/2023

The Arizona Diamondbacks will open a three-game series with the New York Yankees in the Bronx. We’re here to share our MLB odds series, make a Diamondbacks-Yankees prediction, and pick while showing you how to watch.

It will be a showdown between participants of the 2001 World Series. However, this year, only the Diamondbacks have a chance at making it back to the big game, as the Yankees have seen their season fall off the edge of the cliff.

The Diamondbacks swept the San Francisco Giants in a two-game set. Now, they have won five in a row. The DBacks are also 6-4 over the past 10 games. Significantly, the Diamondbacks are 81-72 and currently clinging to the second wild-card spot with nine games left in the season.

The Yankees are coming off a series where they lost two of three to the Toronto Blue Jays. Hence, it was another series where they stumbled and bumbled, and are now hoping their season can end sooner rather than later. The Yanks are 77-76 and all but out of the playoff race, barring an early Christmas miracle.

Brandon Pfaadt will make the start for the Diamondbacks and comes in with a 2-8 record with a 5.86 ERA. Recently, he went 5 1/3 innings while allowing just four hits and striking out six in a win over the Chicago Cubs. Pfaadt will look to build momentum tonight in front of the bright lights at Yankees Stadium. Meanwhile, Luke Weaver comes in with a 2-5 record and a 6.77 ERA. He went four innings in his last outing while allowing three earned runs on four hits with seven strikeouts. Ultimately, he has not gone past four innings in any of his outings.

Here are the Diamondbacks-Yankees MLB odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

MLB Odds: Diamondbacks-Yankees Odds

Arizona Diamondbacks: +1.5 (-194)

New York Yankees: -1.5 (+160)

Over: 8 (-115)

Under: 8 (-105)

How To Watch Diamondbacks vs. Yankees

TV: YES Network

Stream: MLB Extra Innings

Time: 7:06 PM ET/4:06 PM PT

*Watch MLB games LIVE with fuboTV (click for a free trial)*

Why The Diamondbacks Could Cover The Spread

The Diamondbacks are building something and can make a run to the World Series. Now, they have nine games left in the season and have one of the best rookies on the planet.

Corbin Carroll is making MLB history and wants to build more momentum as the playoffs get closer. Amazingly, he became the first rookie to ever hit 20 home runs and steal 50 bases. Carroll is also the third player on the Diamondbacks to ever steal 50 bags in a season. Thus, it puts him in the same boat as Arizona legends such as Eric Byrnes and Tony Womack. Carroll has 25 home runs and joins Mike Trout as the only player in MLB history with 25 home runs and 40 stolen bases in his rookie season.

Carroll has been excellent this season. Additionally, he has some great teammates that have helped him rise. Christian Walker is the cleanup hitter in this lineup. Significantly, he is batting .261 with 30 home runs, 94 RBIs, and 80 runs. Look for him to make an impact in this game.

The Diamondbacks will cover the spread if Carroll and Walker can both hit the baseball steadily. Then, they need good pitching to contain the Yankees.

Why The Yankees Could Cover The Spread

There was so much hype about the Yankees. Unfortunately, it has not worked out well for them. Injuries derailed their season, and their star players have struggled. Additionally, the pitching, besides Gerritt Cole, has not been consistent.

Anthony Rizzo suffered an injury in August and is out for the season. Thus, he endured many struggles throughout the season and will look to bounce back next season. Giancarlo Stanton is batting .188 with 24 home runs, 58 RBIs, and 43 runs. Therefore, he has fallen off the map this season.

It has not been great for Aaron Judge, either. Sadly, one year after breaking the AL record for home runs, Judge dealt with injuries and numerous struggles. Judge is batting .259 with 32 home runs, 64 RBIs, and 71 runs. Ultimately, he will look to bounce back next season. Gleyber Torres has been the most consistent player on the team, hitting .273 with 25 home runs, 66 RBIs, and 85 runs.

The Yankees will cover the spread if their hitters can drive runners home. Then, they need to avoid making mistakes against a dangerous Arizona lineup.

Final Diamondbacks-Yankees Prediction & Pick

The Yankees are just waiting for this miserable season to end. Conversely, the Diamondbacks have plenty to look for. It is only a smart bet to take the Yankees when Cole is pitching. Consequently, every other pitcher has not gotten the job done this season.

Final Diamondbacks-Yankees Prediction & Pick: Arizona Diamondbacks: +1.5 (-194)

The post Diamondbacks vs. Yankees prediction, odds, pick, how to watch – 9/22/2023 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Bundestrainer Nagelsmann: Nicht der Jüngste, viel Erfahrung, kaum Anlaufzeit

Auf Hansi Flick folgt Julian Nagelsmann, der für einen Bundestrainer jung, aber auch nicht so jung ist. Andere Statistiken stechen mehr hervor.

Er soll für eine erfolgreiche Heim-EM sorgen: Julian Nagelsmann.

Er soll für eine erfolgreiche Heim-EM sorgen: Julian Nagelsmann.

Thomas Boecker/DFB

Louis van Gaal hätte es angeblich auch werden können. Der ist schon 72 – und damit doppelt so alt wie Julian Nagelsmann, der die deutsche Nationalmannschaft dennoch nicht als jüngster Cheftrainer übernimmt. Otto Nerz war es, damals noch Reichstrainer, der 1926 gar erst 34 Jahre und 85 Tage alt war. Nagelsmann wird bei seinem Debüt am 14. Oktober in den USA 36 Jahre und 83 Tage alt sein – und damit ist er zumindest der jüngste DFB-Trainer der Nachkriegsgeschichte.

Der ehemalige Hoffenheim-, Leipzig- und Bayern-Trainer ist jung, aber gar nicht mal so jung für einen deutschen Teamchef. Franz Beckenbauer debütierte 1984 einen Tag nach seinem 39. Geburtstag, Sepp Herberger war 1936 ebenfalls 39 Jahre (und 182 Tage) alt. Jürgen Klinsmann stieg 2004 mit 40 Jahren und 40 Tagen ein. Zumindest Beckenbauer und Klinsmann hatten allerdings große Spielerkarrieren hinter sich.

Nagelsmann hingegen verfügt im Vergleich dazu über ungleich größere Bundesliga-Erfahrung, bereits 241 Spiele im deutschen Oberhaus hat er in Funktion des Cheftrainers begleitet – mit mehr Bundesliga-Erfahrung wurde nur Erich Ribbeck 1998 Bundestrainer (569 Spiele). Joachim Löw (68) und Hansi Flick (58) lagen deutlich hinter Nagelsmann; für Beckenbauer, Klinsmann und auch Rudi Völler war die deutsche Nationalmannschaft gar die erste Trainerstation.

Nagelsmanns erste Spiele als Bundestrainer

Er ist jung, aber nicht so jung; er war kein Klasse-Spieler, hat aber mehr Erfahrung, als viele vielleicht auf Anhieb denken. Allerdings hat Nagelsmann das Problem, dass er bis zu seinem Auftrag – die Heim-EM im Sommer 2024 – kaum Zeit zum Arbeiten mit der Mannschaft hat: Ihm stehen die wenigsten Spiele zur Verfügung, die je ein Bundestrainer hatte, um sich auf ein großes Turnier vorzubereiten.

Erstes Pflichtspiel im EM-Eröffnungsspiel in München

Helmut Schön (vor der WM 1966), Jupp Derwall (vor der EM 1980) und Berti Vogts (vor der EM 1992) hatten jeweils 15 Spiele Zeit, ehe es zur Sache ging. Das ist Nagelsmann bei weitem nicht mehr vergönnt. 2023 stehen noch die Duelle in den USA, gegen Mexiko und Österreich an sowie ein Spiel wohl gegen die Türkei.

Und selbst wenn der DFB für 2024 noch ein paar knifflige Freundschaftsspiele planen würde, coacht Nagelsmanns sein erstes Pflichtspiel als Bundestrainer im Eröffnungsspiel der EM. Und zwar am 14. Juni um 21 Uhr in München.

FIA to reject three applications for new F1 teams

Michael Andretti’s operation – whose bid is supported by General Motors brand Cadillac – is the highest-profile contender of those who responded to the FIA’s request for submissions to form an 11th F1 team.

FIA Formula 2 outfits Hitech and Rodin Carlin had also submitted applications, along with start-up Asian effort LKYSUNZ.

Although there is still no official information from the governing body concerning which new teams, if any, will be accepted, Autosport’s German language sister title Motorsport-Total.com understands that only the Andretti bid has reached the final stage.

Formula 1 retains the final say on the admittance of a new entry to the grid, with CEO Stefano Domenicali repeatedly stressing that an additional team is not needed unless it brings additional value, while incumbent teams have been cold on the prospect of Andretti expanding its IndyCar and Formula E outfit into grand prix racing.

They believe the current $200m dilution fee that any new team would have to pay to join the grid is insufficient compensation, with opposition to Andretti’s entry reaffirmed by several team bosses in Singapore.

An announcement from LKYSUNZ on Friday claimed that it was prepared to pay a dilution fee of $600 million, thanks to backing from a new billionaire investor from Florida. This was met with surprise by employees of existing F1 teams amid speculation that LKYSUNZ staff have been informed it has been turned down by the FIA, prompting them to apply for jobs elsewhere.

Information uncovered by Motorsport-Total.com suggests that LKYSUNZ, Hitech and Rodin Carlin have all been informed that their submitted information was not sufficient for a positive evaluation, although the FIA would not officially confirm this when asked on Friday.

LKYSUNZ CEO Benjamin Durand said: “We are still in dialogue with the FIA. But I can’t go into details at the moment because we are bound by an NDA which we respect.”

Jake Dennis, Andretti Autosport, Michael Andretti, Team principal Andretti Autosport are celebrating with the team

Jake Dennis, Andretti Autosport, Michael Andretti, Team principal Andretti Autosport are celebrating with the team

Photo by: Andreas Beil

It is understood that LKYSUNZ submitted new documents in the hope that the FIA would revise its assessment, but this is not expected to happen as the deadlines stipulated in the FIA tender have passed and the rejection is said to be final.

Why LKYSUNZ, Hitech and Rodin Carlin were rejected is not known at this point. To receive a positive decision in the FIA application process, new teams must not only prove that they have sufficient financial resources but also demonstrate a plan on how the project will be environmentally sustainable in order to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2030.

Read Also:

In addition, they had to present how the project would achieve a positive social impact, with staff diversity a focal point.

LKYSUNZ envisages a headquarters in Southeast Asia, most likely in the greater Kuala Lumpur area in Malaysia, which would pave the way for entirely new engineers and mechanics to enter F1.

Tearing Apart That Awful Top 100 Players of All Time List


FBL-ASIA-C1-PERSEPOLIS-NASSR
Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Is the real second GOAT Cristiano Ronaldo? Why is Ángel Di María so highly ranked? And who should be in the list that missed out altogether?

James Allcott is joined by Kweku (@Kweku_Afari) and Faysal (@elfayz_) once again to rip apart the top 100 players list. The trio is also joined by Cai (@ProducerCai), who provides the stats, facts and figures. The trio discusses who is the real second GOAT and whether it’s still Cristiano Ronaldo. Why is Di María so highly ranked? And of course, who should be in this list that missed out altogether?

Host: James Allcott
Guests: Kweku Afari, Faysal and Cai Jones
Producer: Cai Jones
Editor: Finn McSkimming
Additional Production: Jonathan Fisher

Subscribe: Spotify

Tearing Apart That Awful Top 100 Players of All Time List


FBL-ASIA-C1-PERSEPOLIS-NASSR
Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Is the real second GOAT Cristiano Ronaldo? Why is Ángel Di María so highly ranked? And who should be in the list that missed out altogether?

James Allcott is joined by Kweku (@Kweku_Afari) and Faysal (@elfayz_) once again to rip apart the top 100 players list. The trio is also joined by Cai (@ProducerCai), who provides the stats, facts and figures. The trio discusses who is the real second GOAT and whether it’s still Cristiano Ronaldo. Why is Di María so highly ranked? And of course, who should be in this list that missed out altogether?

Host: James Allcott
Guests: Kweku Afari, Faysal and Cai Jones
Producer: Cai Jones
Editor: Finn McSkimming
Additional Production: Jonathan Fisher

Subscribe: Spotify

Daniel Jones addresses Giants’ embarrassing first-half struggles after loss to 49ers

It’s been a tough first three weeks of the season for the New York Giants — but the first half of each contest has been an absolute nightmare for Daniel Jones’ team.

In Week 1, the Giants trailed the Dallas Cowboys 26-0 at halftime. In Week 2, the Arizona Cardinals opened up a 20-0 lead at half. And on Thursday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3, the Giants found themselves down 17-6 through the first two quarters.

“It’s not what we are trying to do, so we have to find a way to figure that out,” Jones said after his team fell to 1-2 on Thursday night, per NFL.com’s Kevin Patra. “Execute better early in the game, finish in the end zone, take advantage of opportunities, but it comes down to making plays and executing better in those situations.”

The fact this team has been down by double digits in each of its three contests to open the 2023 season is concerning, but the fact they were able to make the comeback against the Cardinals is impressive. Still, something needs to change if this team hopes to return to playoff action.

“We didn’t create a rhythm,” Jones continued, per Patra. “We didn’t execute, didn’t take advantage of our opportunities. Certainly it is a good defense. It’s a good team. When you’re playing good teams, you can’t afford to do that. We didn’t play well enough.”

The Giants defense let them down again in the first half, allowing the Niners to score on three of their four first-half drives. But head coach Brian Daboll gave credit where it was due afterwards.

“We went down there and got points,” Daboll explained when asked about another deficit at half. “Obviously, you want to start fast. That’s a heck of a team. It usually comes down to making plays when you have an opportunity to make plays. They did a good job, give them credit. That’s a heck of a football team there.”

Daniel Jones and his team will look to turn things around in Week 4, when the Seattle Seahawks visit MetLife Stadium for Monday Night Football on Oct. 2.

The post Daniel Jones addresses Giants’ embarrassing first-half struggles after loss to 49ers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Brenning: Han borde få sparken omgående

Brenning: Kan inte representera svensk fotboll

Jens T Andersson säger upp sig från Svenska fotbollförbundet för att bli sportchef i Nefttji Baku PFC.

Det står i pressmeddelandet att han blir kvar i Sverige till den 18 oktober.

Han borde få sparken omgående.

De svenska fotbollslandslagen är de högsta representanterna för den svenska fotbollen. Ansiktena utåt för vår största idrott och demokratiska folkrörelse.

Något som kommer med ett ansvar.

Nu väljer deras högste tjänsteman, den övergripande landslagschefen Jens T Andersson, att säga upp sig efter bara 1,5 år på posten.

För att flytta till Azerbajdzjan och fotbollsklubben Nefttji Baku.

– Det var inte ett lätt beslut att ta. Men Nefttji Baku vill bygga en stark klubblagsverksamhet med internationella ambitioner, och erbjuder attraktiva förutsättningar för att åstadkomma detta. Att leda det arbetet lockar, det är en utmaning jag har bestämt mig för att anta, säger Jens T Andersson i ett pressmeddelande.

Allvarliga brister

Om det bara är lockelsen av klubblagsverksamheten i Baku, eller besvikelsen över att inte ha blivit vald till ny ordförande för Svenska fotbollförbundet, som fått Andersson att så plötsligt lämna sitt fortfarande färska jobb är oklart. Men glasklart är att Jens T Andersson inte borde sätta sin fot på Svenska fotbollförbundets kansli igen.

Anderssons nya klubb Nefttji Baku ägs av statliga oljefonden Socar som i sin tur kontrolleras av Azerbajdzjans president Ilham Aliyev. Hur han styr sin klubb är kanske inte helt klart, men hur han kontrollerar sitt land framgår med all önskvärd tydlighet av svenska utrikesdepartementets sammanfattning av läget i Azerbajdzjan från 2020.

”Azerbajdzjan fortsätter att uppvisa allvarliga brister vad gäller respekten för mänskliga rättigheter, bland annat beträffande rättsstatens principer, yttrandefrihet, pressfrihet, valgenomförande, situationen för fängslade, fackliga rättigheter samt rättigheter för kvinnor och hbtq-personer.”

Där konstateras också att medborgarna i praktiken saknar möjlighet att påverka regeringens sammansättning då samtliga ministrar tillsätts av presidenten.

Många minns Loreen

Det är ingen ny analys, och många svenskar minns kanske fortfarande den mindre diplomatiska kris artisten Loreen skapade under Eurovision i Baku 2012. Men nyligen återupptog landet dessutom stridigheterna i utbrytarregionen Nagorno-Karabach, och genomför nu vad som jämförts med en etnisk utrensning av armenier.

Händelser som rullat även i svenska nyhetssändningar under samma tid som Jens T Andersson fingrat på sitt nya kontraktsförslag.

Han är självklart välkommen att ta sina egna beslut kring vad han är beredd att stödja och stå för. Men som representant för den demokratiska svenska folkrörelsen fotboll har han gjort sitt.

Du kan inte vara Ilham Aliyevs och svensk fotbolls man på samma gång.

Det står i pressmeddelande att Jens T Andersson ska jobba kvar på Svenska fotbollförbundet till den 18 oktober men det enda rimliga är att avaktivera hans passerkort redan i dag.

Amazon Prime Video makes major ad shakeup decision

Amazon Prime Video has made a major decision on ads on its platform.

It’s being reported that Prime Video will implement ads beginning in early 2024 for the U.S., U.K., Germany, and Canada. France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, and Australia will also receive the change later in the year.

Ads aren’t completely new to Prime Video. Amazon’s platform acquired the rights to Thursday Night Football. Those broadcasts feature commercial breaks, as any football game does, but now they will implement that with other titles.

Though it’s unclear how many ads will be thrown into a given title, Amazon claims they will be “limited.” The goal for this change is “to have meaningfully fewer ads than linear TV and other streaming TV providers.”

Last year, Amazon made $38 billion from ad revenue. That’s a small percentage of its $502 billion total revenue, but still a chunk nonetheless.

The $14.99/month subscription fee will remain. However, those who don’t want ads on their Prime Video viewing experiences can pay an additional $2.99/month.

All of the streaming platforms seem to be moving into this direction. Perhaps Prime Video’s ad breaks will be similar to Peacock’s. On Peacock, their ad breaks range from 30-60 seconds to my recollection.

Prime Video also has sibling platforms such as Freevee and Twitch. Both of those are ad-supported. Some of the originals that will now have ad breaks including The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Boys, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Wheel of Time, and Reacher.

The post Amazon Prime Video makes major ad shakeup decision appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Ole Miss vs. Alabama prediction, odds, pick, how to watch College Football Week 4 game

Ole Miss and Alabama are set to square off in a huge SEC West showdown in Week 4 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. We continue our college football odds series with a Ole Miss-Alabama prediction, pick, and how to watch.

The Crimson Tide, who played two quarterbacks in Tyler Buchner and Ty Simpson, only mustered 17 points in a win at South Florida. Nick Saban will turn back to former starting quarterback Jalen Milroe against the Rebels to try to get the offense headed in the right direction.

As for Ole Miss, make it a 3-0 start for Lane Kiffin’s team for the third straight season after a 48-23 win over Georgia Tech.

Here are the college football odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

College Football Odds: Ole Miss-Alabama Odds

Ole Miss: +7 (-115)

Alabama: – 7 (-105)

Over: 55.5 (-105)

Under: 55.5 (-115)

How to Watch Ole Miss vs. Alabama

TV: CBS

Stream: CBSSports.com

Time: 3:30 p.m. ET

*Watch college football LIVE with fuboTV (click for a free trial)*

Why Ole Miss Will Cover The Spread

Ole Miss has arguably been the most impressive team in the SEC to this point. The Rebels rank in the top 10 in the nation in a plethora of offensive categories: 11.9 passing yards per attempt (3rd), 18.4 yards per completion (4th), 52.7 points per game (4th), 8.2 yards per play (8th), and 349.7 passing yards per game (9th). You’d expect a Kiffin-coached offense to put up numbers, but it’s been the play of quarterback Jaxson Dart that has been the biggest story in Oxford.

Many thought that Oklahoma State transfer Spencer Sanders would land the starting job. However, it has been Dart who has run with the opportunity…quite literally. While his passing numbers are impressive (852 YDs, 7 TDs, 66.2 CMP%), his rushing numbers (213 YDs, 2 TDs) have stood out. He had 14 carries for 136 yards and two touchdowns against Georgia Tech, which included a 68-yard run. Dart rushed for 614 yards a season ago, and he’s well on his way to eclipsing that total this season.

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers found plenty of success against the Tide in Week 2, and though Dart hasn’t yet joined him in the Heisman conversation, he has the playmakers around him to post a huge game. That is, if he has his full arsenal. Tre Harris, who caught four touchdowns in the opener against Mercer, did not play against the Yellow Jackets. Still, Dart has options with Jordan Watkins (15 RECs, 290 YDs, 1 TD) and Dayton Wade (11 RECs, 215 YDs) both breaking plays of 40-plus yards this season.

The biggest asset in this offense is 2022 SEC rushing king Quinshon Judkins. He’s the best running back in the conference and has scored a touchdown in every game thus far this season. In this same matchup a season ago, he had 23 carries for 135 yards and two touchdowns.

Yeah, the Ole Miss offense is going to score points, and Alabama’s offense may struggle to keep up.

Why Alabama Will Cover The Spread

Alabama’s defense is going to have to make plays. It’s as simple as that. Giving the offense a short field is crucial in this type of matchup, especially considering how that unit has played the past few weeks. They need all the easy points they can get. Ole Miss has only committed two turnovers this season (the Tide have forced four), but this is the best defense the Rebels have seen thus far. Alabama must take advantage of that with an aggressive approach that forces Dart to make plays and, in turn, not allow Judkins to get out in open space.

Another reason to pick Alabama in this spot is that, for the first time in a while, people are doubting Saban. There’s no “rat poison” as he likes to call it. No one is hyping the Crimson Tide up as a College Football Playoff lock. Some even think this is the end of an era and that it could be the turning point for both programs — in a good way for Ole Miss and a bad way for Alabama.

Disregarding Saban’s ability to get his team to the occasion? Do that at your own peril. He’s one of the best coaches ever for a reason, and he’ll have his guys ready to play.

Also, Alabama doesn’t lack talent. The Tide have weapons on offense. It’s up to offensive coordinator Tommy Rees to draw up the right play calls to put Milroe in a position to succeed, and then, he has to give his playmakers a chance to make plays. A breakout game from Roydell Williams (129 YDs and 1 TD vs. South Florida), Jase McClellan (84 YDs and 1 TD vs. Ole Miss in 2022), or Jermaine Burton (6 RECs, 127 YDs, 2 TDs) is possible in this spot.

They just need a little help from the defense to make it easier to score points.

Final Ole Miss-Alabama Prediction & Pick

Lane Kiffin is 0-4 against his former boss Nick Saban, which has led to everyone asking the same question: If not now, when? It may be premature to declare that the Alabama dynasty is over, but this Crimson Tide team seems to have more issues than we’re used to seeing with a Saban-coached group. There’s no clear answer at quarterback, and it has put a lot of pressure on the defense to win games. That may be easy to do against MTSU and South Florida, but it won’t be against Dart, Judkins, and this Ole Miss offense. The Rebels could win this game outright, which makes them the pick as a touchdown underdog in this game.

Final Ole Miss-Alabama Prediction & Pick: Ole Miss +7 (-115)

The post Ole Miss vs. Alabama prediction, odds, pick, how to watch College Football Week 4 game appeared first on ClutchPoints.