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Aaron Doster / USA TODAY Sports

The Alabama Crimson Tide have faced the Notre Dame Fighting Irish only seven previous times, losing five. Alabama was victorious in the most recent meeting, however, rolling to a 42-14 win in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game. The top-ranked Crimson Tide look to post another important victory over the fourth-ranked Fighting Irish when the schools meet Friday in the 2021 Rose Bowl, which is serving as one of this season's College Football Playoff Semifinal Games. Kickoff from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.

Alabama (11-0) is in search of its 18th overall national championship and sixth in 12 years as it makes its sixth appearance in the College Football Playoff since the format debuted in the 2014 season. Notre Dame (10-1) has participated just once, losing to Clemson 30-3 in the 2018 semifinals. The Crimson Tide are 20-point favorites in the latest Alabama vs. Notre Dame odds from William Hill Sportsbook, while the over-under for total points scored is 65.5. Before making any Notre Dame vs. Alabama picks, check out the college football predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's Emory Hunt.

The founder of Football Gameplan, Hunt played running back at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and coached high-school football before becoming a SportsLine expert and CBS Sports HQ analyst. He enjoyed a dominant 2019 season, going 116-79 against the spread while returning nearly $3,000 to $100 bettors.

Moreover, Hunt has a keen eye for the Crimson Tide's tendencies. He's a stunning 9-1 in his last 10 against the spread college football picks involving Alabama. Anyone who has followed him is way up. 

Now, Hunt has broken down Alabama vs. Notre Dame. You can visit SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are the college football odds from William Hill and betting trends for Notre Dame vs. Alabama: 

  • Alabama vs. Notre Dame spread: Crimson Tide -20
  • Alabama vs. Notre Dame over-under: 65.5 points
  • Alabama vs. Notre Dame money line: Crimson Tide -1400, Fighting Irish +800
  • ALA: The Crimson Tide are 7-1 against the spread in their last eight games as favorites
  • ND: The Fighting Irish are 6-1 ATS in their last seven contests against teams with winning records

Why Alabama can cover 

DeVonta Smith is arguably the best wide receiver in the nation, as he ranks first in both catches (98) and receiving yards (1,511) and is second in touchdown receptions (17), yards per game (137.4) and catches per contest (8.9). The senior has posted seven 100-yard performances this season and recorded a TD in eight of his 11 games, making multiple scoring catches on six occasions. Smith is just the fourth wideout to be named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy since Desmond Howard won the award in 1991.

The Crimson Tide boast another finalist for the Heisman in Mac Jones, who completed 33-of-43 attempts for 418 yards and five touchdowns in the team's 52-46 win over Florida in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 19. The redshirt junior leads the nation with a 76.5 completion percentage, is second in passing yards (3,739) and tied for third in touchdown tosses (32). Jones has registered four 400-yard efforts while throwing at least four TD passes six times in his first full season as a starter.

Why Notre Dame can cover

The Fighting Irish began the 2020 season with 10 consecutive victories before falling to Clemson on Dec. 19. They ended the Tigers' streak of 36 straight regular-season wins with a thrilling 47-40 double-overtime triumph on Nov. 7, one of six contests in which Notre Dame scored more than 40 points. Senior QB Ian Book has thrown for 2,601 yards with 15 touchdowns and just two interceptions, with just one since the season opener.

Book also is dangerous with his legs, as he is third on the team with 430 rushing yards. He also has run for eight TDs, matching the total from his first three campaigns, to place second to Kyren Williams (12). A sophomore, Williams has posted six 100-yard performances while gaining 1,061 yards on 195 carries this year.

How to make Notre Dame vs. Alabama picks

Hunt has analyzed this matchup from all sides and he is leaning over on the total. He also has discovered a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. He's only sharing it at SportsLine. 

So who wins Alabama vs. Notre Dame in the Rose Bowl? And what critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the Notre Dame vs. Alabama spread you should be all over, all from the expert who is 9-1 in his last 10 against-the-spread picks involving the Crimson Tide.