Saturday Selections: Week 3 SEC Picks Against the Spread

Sep 6, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Kenyan Drake (17) is hit from behind by Florida Atlantic Owls linebacker Nate Ozdemir (50) just short of the goal in at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Southern Miss at #3 Alabama (-48), 5:00pm CT, ESPN2

Wow. Forty-eight is a lot of points. A lot. But, I may have learned my lesson in Week 1 by taking the Eagles to cover against Mississippi State.

This Alabama squad is one of the most talented in the nation. And regardless of their inability to officially name Blake Sims as the starting quarterback, and they have the ability to put up big numbers on offense both on the ground and through the air.

Last week, Alabama torched an outclassed Florida Atlantic squad 41-0 before lightning in the area of the stadium forced the teams to abandon the game in the fourth quarter. At that point, the Crimson Tide had 620 yards of offense including 430 yards passing.

The Alabama defense should be disappointed if USM scores at all in this one. Last week, the Tide allowed 145 total yards, and Southern Miss has averaged only 349. The Eagles even struggled last week against Alcorn State before winning 26-20.

But, that is an awful lot of points. Alabama has not beaten many people by 50 because once the lead is well in hand in the third quarter, Nick Saban and company tend to put the car in neutral and milk the fourth quarter clock. USM will get a field goal, and it will be enough to cover.

Alabama 49, Southern Miss 3