Top sportsbooks online favor the home team by a touchdown for No. 3 Georgia at No. 2 Alabama, scheduled for Saturday, October 17 at 8:00 ET in Tuscaloosa. Three weeks into SEC play and it looks like it’s going to boil down to Georgia and Alabama, as it ever does.
Georgia Bulldogs vs. Alabama Crimson Tide NCAA Odds
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | +6 (-110) | 56½ (-110) | +190 |  |
| Alabama | -6 (-110) | 56½ (-110) | -230 | |
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Betting Georgia Bulldogs
The Bulldogs are the road underdogs, so say the best online sportsbooks. Following a slow start against Arkansas, Georgia has looked formidable in consecutive home wins over ranked schools. The Bulldogs beat Auburn 27-6 as 7.5-point favorites, as recorded by top sportsbooks online.
They followed that up with a 44-21 trouncing of Tennessee as 13-point faves. Georgia has gotten a rather unexpectedly strong performance from QB Stetson Bennett. The sophomore was likely the third-stringer in the spring before Jamie Newman opted out and J.T. Daniels’s injury.
However, Bennett is completing 63.1% of his passes for 689 yards with five TDs and no picks.
Bennett has played well, but it’s the Bulldogs’ defense that has been bringing it. Georgia ranks 2nd in total yards allowed, 1st against the rush. They are allowing only 12.3 points per game. And against very strong competition, no less.
Betting Alabama Crimson Tide
The Tide is the favored team by top sportsbooks online. Alabama will be the Bulldogs’ greatest challenge to date, if not all season. The Crimson Tide defense is looking a bit iffy, but the offense is stepping up. QB Mac Jones has been remarkable in lieu of the departed Tua Tagovailoa.
He is completing a whopping 79.5% of his passes for 1,101 yards with eight TDs and one interception. What really makes Bama dangerous though is the arsenal at Jones’ disposal. Including but not limited to Devonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle and John Metchie on the outside, and Najee Harris in the backfield.
The Alabama offense versus the Georgia defense is the clash to watch. When the other units are on the gridiron, the Dawgs are having trouble running the ball. Nick Saban should adjust just enough on defense to win and cover what to Bama is a short spread.
Georgia Bulldogs vs. Alabama Crimson Tide NCAA Pick
It is shaping up to be a beautiful night for football in Alabama. The forecast calls for clear skies with temperatures ranging in the mid-50s around game time and minimal wind.
A Georgia-Alabama game may conjure up images of tough defensive battles. That hasn’t been the case as of late. The Over has gone 6-1-1 in the last eight encounters.
The total doesn’t bode well for this game. Oddsmakers have projected the number at 57. That is in recognition of just how good the Georgia defense has been. But the way the SEC has been playing football this season, it’s tough to think that even a good Dawgs’ defense will be able to slow down the Tide.
Bama has just too much firepower. They are averaging 51 points per game. Even holding them to 30 points would be a huge win for Georgia. Conversely, the Alabama defense has more holes than Sonny Corleone.
The Tide has allowed 473 total yards and 30.3 points per game. They haven’t really played anyone that impressive on their schedule. Bama has fared a little better against the run. on the other hand, they have been torched through the air. The 322.3 passing yards per game they are allowing ranks 70th in the country. And that is out of just 74 teams that have competed at this point in the season. It shouldn’t be a surprise to see both teams reach the 30-point mark in this one.
