T-News staff picks

Cecil Hurt

Alabama 33, Colorado 24

Bowl season is the time for offense. Alabama’s seemed to disappear down the stretch, but with a month of work and a full slate of players — against a defense that is not great — the Tide should be able to put some points on the board.That the previous two games have been shootouts (the ‘91 game was a shootout by Stallings standards) doesn’t hurt.

Christopher Walsh

Alabama 27, Colorado 24

Two weeks ago, this pick would have gone the other way. Even though Alabama is the better team, it fell apart down the stetch and emotionally appeared dead. However, the time off seems to have re-invigorated the Crimson Tide, and, perhaps more importantly, the offensive line is intact for the first time since midseason.

David Wasson

Alabama 35, Colorado 14

All the national pundits figure this game to be the snoozer of the bowl season. Though that may be true for much of the country, including a certain square state in the Mountain time zone, not so for Alabama fans. Colorado can’t stop a Tide running game that will be the strongest of the season, and the UA defense will dominate. A win to close the year!

Andrew Carroll

Colorado 24, Alabama 17

Alabama fans weren’t thinking about Shreveport when the Tide sailed into the LSU game with a 6-2 record. But a four-game losing streak can be attributed to a slumping offense. Turnovers, sacks, dropped passes and the lack of an effective running game have been evident during the slide. Colorado is also 6-6, but the Buffaloes will be more motivated.

Michael Southern

Alabama 24, Colorado 21

I’m not sure if there are two teams that appear more evenly matched than Alabama and Colorado. Identical overall 6-6 records and 4-4 conference records are sprinkled with nice victories and disappointing losses. Colorado’s defense is not SEC caliber in the pass-happy Big 12, so expect a slight resurgence from the Alabama offense.

Edwin Stanton

Alabama 28, Colorado 10

Colorado matches up well with the Tide. The Buffaloes really spread the wealth around offensively, with three receivers at 300 yards. The Buffaloes’ defense does a decent job, but defending the pass has been a trouble spot for them. If the Tide strikes at the right times, it could be a happy ending to what has been an ineffective and disappointing season.

Harold Stout

Alabama 23, Colorado 17

This may be one of the biggest games for an Alabama team in a long time. Everything seems to have been going wrong of late. The Tide is in desperate need of a win. The talent is there, but the results haven’t been. No more excuses. Light up the scoreboard and stuff the Buffaloes’ offense. There is no “next game” this season.