Alabama is hosting LA-Monroe on Saturday afternoon of Week 2. The game will take place at 7:45 P.M. ET in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Alabama is looking to bounce back against ULM after an opening week loss.
The Crimson Tide are 34.5-point home favorites in this game on DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total set at 49.5 points. This is a preview, prediction and pick for this ULM-Alabama non-conference matchup.
ULM vs. Alabama Preview
ULM Preview
It is the second season under Bryant Vincent at ULM. The Warhawks went 5-7 in the first season under Vincent and are hoping to build on that. They started the season with an easy game against FCS Saint Francis, 29-0. Their defense was overwhelming in that game, but there isn’t too much to glean from that performance against such an inferior opponent. The ULM quarterback, Aidan Armenta, struggled in this game against a bad defense. He went 12-23 for 95 yards, one touchdown and an interception against an FCS defense. ULM did have an exciting performance from their transfer running back, Braylon McReynolds. McReynolds had 113 rushing yards on just 11 carries and had a receiving touchdown on top of that.
Alabama Preview
Alabama had a tough opening performance. It’s still impossible to know how good Florida State will be this season. They had a horrific 2024 season, but they do have a very talented roster. If Florida State ends up winning the ACC, this loss won’t look nearly as bad. However, if Florida State is just an average team, that would mean bad things for Alabama based on how they performed. New quarterback Ty Simpson did not look very good in his first start. He was just 23/43 and didn’t see the field well at all. He took some bad sacks, missed chances to scramble where there was open space and couldn’t hit his receivers. It seems as if there might be an adjustment period without Jalen Milroe, and Kalen DeBoer might even turn to his freshman quarterback, Keelon Russell, if Simpson can’t get going.
ULM vs. Alabama Pick
Alabama needs to get things back on track in this game. Their defense seemed completely unprepared and undisciplined last week against Florida State. That was also a worrying trait that they possessed last season. Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack should be drilling into his unit this week that they should not be giving up any points against ULM. The Warhawks don’t have a viable quarterback and Alabama should crush them in the trenches. If ULM scores a touchdown in this game, it will be a bad effort from Alabama. Offensively, Kalen DeBoer will want to work on his quarterback situation. However, Alabama won’t want to put too much on tape or risk injuries because they have an important non-conference game against Wisconsin next week. Alabama should jump out to an early lead, then sit on the ball. The ULM defense played well last week and should put up some resistance against Alabama. Meanwhile, the Alabama defense should shut down the ULM offense. That should lead to this game finishing under the total of 49.5 points.
