College Football

FSU Football: Betting Line Moves For Alabama over 'Noles

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 12:28 a.m. ET

Fansided, Kelvin Hunt/FanSided via Chop Chat

Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Deondre Francois (12) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

FSU football will open up its 2017 season against Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide. Can the ‘Noles overcome the odds again?

FSU football had to overcome the odds in their final game of the 2016 season, a touchdown underdog against the Michigan Wolverines in the Orange Bowl.

The ‘Noles prevailed and won outright.

However, they’ll need to beat the odds again when they take on Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2017 season opener September 2 in Atlanta, Georgia.

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The game will take place on a neutral field and Alabama opened around -3 or -3.5 betting when lines first began appearing.

However, Alabama closed with the No. 1 recruiting class for the umpteenth time last week. FSU football finished with the No. 6 overall recruiting class according to 247 composite rankings.

That may have been enough to sway some betting lines as Alabama is now a -4.5 betting favorite at Sportsbook.ag.

Nick Saban signed a record 21 ESPN 300 players in its 2017 recruiting class. FSU recruiting signed 13 ESPN 300 players, with the No. 1 DT, RB and the No. 1 DE in their class.

The ‘Noles will return a lot of firepower on defense, including All-American Derwin James. Quarterback Deondre Francois will return on offense with a talented wide receiver corps.

Of course, Alabama is coming off a last second loss against Clemson in the National Championship game. Clemson was a +6 underdog against Alabama in that game.

The same Clemson team FSU was whipping before giving up 17 points in the fourth quarter. It’ll be interesting to see how much this betting line changes as players begin to emerge in spring and fall camps.

The ‘Noles and Alabama last met a decade ago with FSU prevailing 21-14.