It is two top 15 teams colliding as Texas takes on Alabama. It is time to continue our College Football odds series with a Texas-Alabama prediction, pick, and how-to-watch.

Texas took a 37-10 win over Rice in their openers. It was not the most perfect start for Texas. It started with a four-play drive that ended with a turnover on downs at the Texas 33-yard line. Rice was able to turn that into a field goal and take the lead. Then, Texas took over. They would score on a 37-yard pass from Quinn Ewers to Jonathan Brooks on the next drive but have to settle for three field goals in the second quarter to take a 16-3 lead into the half. Coming out of the half, Ewers put on a show. He threw two touchdowns and ran one in during the third quarter to take the 37-3 lead. Rice would get a touchdown back late in the fourth quarter on a drive that took over nine minutes off the clock to give Texas the win.

Meanwhile, Alabama dominated Middle Tennessee State. They scored two touchdowns in each quarter in the process. Jalen Milroe was great in the first half. He ran in a 21-yard touchdown to open the scoring, while running in another in the second and throwing a 47-yard touchdown pass in that quarter as well. Milroe would finally give way to Tyler Buchner in the game, but that was after it was already 42-0. Middle Tennesse State would manage just one touchdown in the game, on a seven-yard pass in the late third quarter. Still, it was not without cost. A pair of corners for Alabama were injured in the game, and are considered day-to-day.

Here are the college football odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

College Football Odds: Texas-Alabama Odds

Texas: +7 (-104)

Alabama: -7 (-118)

Over: 53.5 (-115)

Under: 53.5 (-105)

How to Watch Texas vs. Alabama

TV: ESPN

Stream: ESPN App

Time: 7:00 PM ET/ 4: 00 PM PT

*Watch college football LIVE with fuboTV (click for a free trial)*

Why Texas Will Cover The Spread

Quinn Ewers was solid in his first game this year, but it was not flawless. He went 19-31 on the day for 260 yards and three touchdowns. He did not do anything spectacular in the game, and most of his passes were safer throws to wide-open receivers. Ewers only had to deal with one drop on the day which is a positive. Still, while he did not throw any turnover-worthy throws, he did have to deal with pressure. Ewers was pressured on eight of his 38 dropbacks. On those eight pressures, he was sacked three times, scrambled for positive yardage four times, and was able to throw the ball just once. Still, Ewers ended up with positive yardage running even with the sacks, and he scored a touchdown in the game.

On the receiving end of things, Xavier Worthy was solid. He caught seven of the ten balls thrown his way for 90 yards. He also did some work after the catch. Over half of his yardage was after the catch, as he averaged 6.6 yards after the reception. Jordan Whittington also had a solid day. He caught all four of the balls thrown his way, racking in 47 yards in the process. Meanwhile, the rushing attack saw three running backs all carry for over 35 yards. The run blocking was solid, as well. The running game averaged 5.6 yards per carry, with the average yards after contact being just 3.50 yards. That means the average first contact was two yards passed the line of scrimmage.

The major standouts in the game came on the defensive side of the ball. Jayaln Ford was wonderful at linebacker. He had an interception and stuffed the only reception made on a guy he was guarding for just three yards. Meanwhile, he had four tackles, two stops, and a quarterback pressure. Byron Murphy got to the passer regularly. In the game, he has four quarterback pressures, while also getting a sack. Overall, Texas pressured the Rice quarterback 21 times, leading to three sacks. They also got two interceptions and returned one for a touchdown.

Why Alabama Will Cover The Spread

While Quinn Ewers was doing work for Texas with his arm, it was Jalen Milroe doing it with his legs. Milroe ran for 64 yards in the game, on just two true rushing attempts. Counting scrambles and sacks, it was a seven-carry and 48-yard day for two scores for Milroe. While the designed runs for Milroe were great, his passing was also solid. Milroe went 13-18 passing for 194 yards and three touchdowns. He did not throw a turnover-worthy pass while completing three long strikes downfield with solid precision. His average depth of target downfield was at 13.1 yards and he pushed the ball downfield well. Further, the offensive line did their job. He was pressured just seven times, and while he was sacked twice, he scrambled away three times for positive yardage.

Alabama also had a good game receiving. Amari Niblack, the tight end, was reliable and a solid target for Milroe. He caught both targets sent his way for a total of 49 yards and a score. Meanwhile, Isaiah Bons caught all five targets sent in his direction. He would end up with 76 yards and a score. Still, there is work to be done for Alabama. They averaged just 3.4 yards after the catch with only Bond having more than 15 yards after the reception.

The defense for Alabama had a solid day as well. Dallas Turner led the way with four quarterback pressures, while also having a defensive stop. He did allow one reception when out in coverage, but it was stopped for just six yards. Overall though, Alabama needs to do a better job of getting to the quarterback. They had just 11 pressures in the game, and while they did convert those to three sacks, Texas has a much better offensive line than Middle Tennessee. Further, they allowed 24 receptions on just 33 targets to receivers when being defended, which is over 70 percent.

Final Texas-Alabama Prediction & Pick

This could be one of the biggest games of the season. Both teams have aspirations to make the playoffs, and the winner will have an inside track to do so. Alabama will still have to deal with Georgia, but Texas may have a clear path in the Big 12. Quinn Ewers is making his second start against this Alabama defense. If he had not been injured in the game last year, Texas could have easily won. Alabama has Jalen Milroe going in his second start of his career against a defense that gave Bryce Young some trouble last time. The talent gap between the two teams is small. Texas has depth now and makes a statement in this game.

Final Texas-Alabama Prediction & Pick: Texas +7 (-104)