The question is if it feels this close. This was the score Alabama beat Missouri by in last year’s opener. It’s a better prediction for Miami than the 52-24 score Alabama closed the season against a great Ohio State team in winning the national title. The reasons are simple and familiar. Too much Bama. Too much Nick Saban.
Top-ranked Alabama has some unknowns offensively after losing multiple star players on that side of the ball to the NFL from last year’s national championship team. Still, the Crimson Tide’s defense should be elite from Day 1. UM having the continuity advantage should keep this game close, but this challenge may be too much for the Hurricanes to overcome to start the season.