Alabama opens a three-score favorite over Texas A&M

This week we’ve heard the common refrain “this may be Alabama’s (or Saban’s) best team ever.” That remains to be seen (although, results-wise, it certainly could be the case,) but one group of influence-makers are definitely on board with the notion: The sportsbooks.

Below are the college football Week 8 opening odds from BookMaker.eu. I particularly like: Arkansas as an inexplicable 8-point underdog on the Plains versus Auburn; Nebraska huge against a rudderless Purdue team; Ole Miss as a four-point underdog versus LSU; and Navy as a ‘dog at home hosting Memphis.

As for Alabama? While I believe in my heart that Alabama can be (and probably is) 17-21 points better than Texas A&M, I’m not willing to put my wallet where my mouth is.

Top 25

Texas A&M at Alabama (-16.5)

Ohio State (-18.5) at Penn State

Illinois at Michigan (OFF)

Oregon State at Washington (-31.5)

NC State at Louisville (-16)

Purdue at Nebraska (-24.5)

Wisconsin (-3) at Iowa

Houston (-21) at SMU

TCU at West Virginia (-4.5)

BYU at Boise State (-7.5)

Oklahoma (-13.5) at Texas Tech

Arkansas at Auburn (-8)

Utah at UCLA (OFF)

Eastern Michigan at Western Michigan (-21.5)

North Carolina (-10) at Virginia

Mississippi at LSU (-4)

Memphis (-1.5) at Navy

Week 8 Opening Odds

Miami at Virginia Tech (-4)

Troy (-8.5) at South Alabama

BYU at Boise State (-7.5)

South Florida (-7) at Temple

Oregon at California (OFF)

San Jose State at San Diego State (-22)

North Texas at Army (-16.5)

Eastern Michigan at Western Michigan (-21.5)

Syracuse at Boston College (-4)

Rutgers at Minnesota (OFF)

East Carolina at Cincinnati (OFF)

TCU at West Virginia (-4.5)

Indiana at Northwestern (-4.5)

Purdue at Nebraska (-24.5)

Oklahoma State (-25) at Kansas

Wisconsin (-3) at Iowa

North Carolina (-10) at Virginia

NC State at Louisville (-16)

Central Michigan at Toledo (-10)

Akron at Ball State (-2)

Louisiana Tech (-14) at Florida International

Hawaii at Air Force (-16.5)

UL Lafayette (-6) at Texas State

Idaho at Appalachian State (-20)

Massachusetts at South Carolina (-21)

Charlotte at Marshall (-18.5)

UL Monroe at New Mexico (-12.5)

Buffalo at Northern Illinois (-19.5)

Central Florida (-2) at Connecticut

Ohio (-3) at Kent State

Washington State (-7) at Arizona State

Oklahoma (-13.5) at Texas Tech

Illinois at Michigan (OFF)

Houston (-21) at SMU

Memphis (-1.5) at Navy

Wyoming (-3.5) at Nevada

Tulane at Tulsa (-11.5)

Oregon State at Washington (-31.5)

Miami Ohio at Bowling Green (-4)

Mississippi State (-3.5) at Kentucky

UTEP at Texas San Antonio (-9.5)

Old Dominion at Western Kentucky (-14)

Texas at Kansas State (-2.5)

Colorado at Stanford (-3.5)

Michigan State at Maryland (OFF)

Middle Tennessee State at Missouri (-6)

Georgia Southern (-14) at New Mexico State

Utah at UCLA (OFF)

Mississippi at LSU (-4)

Arkansas at Auburn (-8)

Ohio State (-18.5) at Penn State

Texas A&M at Alabama (-16.5)

Colorado State at UNLV (-2)

Fresno State at Utah State (-14)