Utah State at Alabama 9/3/22 - College Football Picks & Predictions

Top-ranked Alabama opens the 2022 season at home against the Utah State Aggies on Sept. 3. Utah State won its opener 31-20 against Connecticut. Find out how everyone else is predicted to do at our free college football picks.

Nick Saban is back for his 15th year as the coach of the Crimson Tide. The team is 178-25 under Saban’s tutelage.

Alabama is as loaded as ever on both sides of the football and will be led by reigning Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young at quarterback and 2021 national Defensive Player of the Year Will Anderson Jr. at linebacker.

Alabama has had a flood of top transfers join the roster on offense this season. Among the biggest additions is former Georgia Tech running back Jahmyr Gibbs. The Crimson Tide also improved at receiver with Germaine Burton coming over from Georgia and Tyler Harrell leaving Louisville for Tuscaloosa. Former Vanderbilt offense lineman Tyler Steen will be the starting left tackle. Saban’s top addition on defense is cornerback Eli Ricks from Louisiana State University, but he is facing a possible suspension and could be unavailable for the opener.

Utah State is no slouch, coming off an 11-3 season under first-year coach Blake Anderson. The Aggies are expected to compete for the Mountain West Conference title. That said, few expect them to stick with the Crimson Tide for long.