The betting line is out for this weekend’s matchup between Alabama and New Mexico State, and the second-ranked Crimson Tide is more than a 50-point favorite over its second opponent.

Alabama opened as a 54.5-point favorite over NMSU, according to Circa Sports, the sportsbook at the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The line has since moved to -54 on Sunday.

The Tide will host the Aggies in its home opener at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 3 p.m. CT on the SEC Network. It will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

New Mexico State opened the 2019 season with a 58-7 loss to Washington State this weekend.

New Mexico State left the Sun Belt Conference and was an independent team a season ago. It won only won three games in 2018 after posting seven wins and a bowl-game victory over Utah State the previous year. But the Aggies will look to improve in year No. 6 under head coach Doug Martin.

But the schedule isn’t a favorable one for NMSU. The Aggies open the 2019 season on the road at Washington State and, from the SEC, face Alabama the following week and Ole Miss later in the year. New Mexico State will also play San Diego State, New Mexico, Fresno State, Central Michigan, Georgia Southern, UTEP and Liberty (twice, actually) -- once on Oct. 5 and again on Nov. 30.

“This will be the toughest schedule any group of five team plays by far and we look forward to it,” Martin said in a press release. “Three Power 5 schools in Alabama, Washington State and Ole Miss, and then some of the best group of five teams in the nation are on this schedule. We return a really good team and look forward to proving that we belong on this level.”

The Aggies return 14 starters, including eight on the offensive side of the football led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Josh Adkins. Last year, Adkins started the final eight games of the 2018 season and completed 222-of-393 passes for 2,563 yards, 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions. His leading receiver in Jonathan Boone is gone, but running back Jason Huntley is a versatile offensive weapon and five of the top six receivers and tight end Bryce Roberts are all back.

As for the defense, NMSU returns six starters from a unit that allowed more than 475 yards and 41 points per game a year ago. Leading tackler Javahn Fergurson (132 tackles) returns to a linebacking corps that must replace three starters, including Terrill Hanks. The Aggie secondary also lost a couple of players, most importantly hard-hitting safety Ron LaForce. Up front, the defensive line is in the best shape with everyone returning, led by leading sacker Cedric Wilcots (7.0 sacks).

Contact Charlie Potter by 247Sports' personal messaging or on Twitter (@Charlie_Potter).

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