Alabama at Texas Tech

Classic strength vs. strength matchup in the Cotton Bowl as Texas Tech and its juggernaut offense face the Tide and their suffocating defense. Can the Tide stop a Tech offense that 6.7 yards per play (wow!)? Alabama is 1-8 ATS versus good offensive teams that average >5.9 yards/play over the last 3 seasons. Bama started the season 9-0 but lost to LSU and Auburn to close out the season, and I wonder a bit about motivation here facing a team that historically hasn't been very good. Simeon Castille, Bama's top corner, is out of this one due to academic problems and the Big 12 has surprisingly looked very good in bowl games thus far. Throw in the fact that Tech is essentially at home here, and the Red Radiers defense should slow down Bama enough here, and you have a Tech victory. Two stars on the Red Raiders minus the points here.