It was supposed to be a topsy-turvy world for college football betting in the SEC this year. Would LSU defend its crown despite all the turnover? Was Florida going to take the next step? Could Lane Kiffin and Mike Leach make some noise in Mississippi?
But three weeks into SEC action it looks like it’s going to come down to Georgia and Alabama once again, and the college football betting world will get their first taste of this rivalry this weekend.
Let’s take a look at our best college football predictions for No. 3 Georgia at No. 2 Alabama, scheduled for Saturday, October 17 at 8:00 ET in Tuscaloosa.
(Editor's Note: This preview was published prior to this week's announcement that Alabama head coach Nick Saban had contracted COVID-19)
Georgia Bulldogs vs Alabama Crimson Tide betting preview
Weather
It should be a beautiful night for football in Alabama. The forecast is calling for clear skies with temperatures in the mid-50s around game time and minimal wind. Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NCAA football weather info.
Key Injuries
Georgia: James Cook RB (Probable), Tommy Bush WR (Questionable), J.T. Daniels QB (Questionable), Walter Grant LB (Questionable), Matt Landers WR (Questionable).
Alabama: No injuries to report.
Find our latest NCAA football injury reports.
Betting trend to know
While a Georgia-Alabama matchup may make you conjure up thoughts of tough defensive battles, that hasn’t been the case recently, with the Over going 6-1-1 in the last eight meetings. Find more NCAA football betting trends for Georgia vs. Alabama.
Against the spread (ATS) pick
After a slow start against Arkansas, Georgia has looked very impressive in back-to-back home wins over ranked opponents. The Bulldogs took out Auburn 27-6 as 7.5-point favorites and followed that up with a 44-21 thumping of Tennessee as 13-point chalk.
Georgia has gotten a somewhat surprisingly strong QB performance from Stetson Bennett. The sophomore was likely the third option in the spring before Jamie Newman opted out and J.T. Daniels got injured, but Bennett is completing 63.1 percent of his passes for 689 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions.
While Bennett has played very well, it’s the Bulldogs’ defense that has been the standout unit so far. Georgia ranks second in total yards allowed, first against the rush and is allowing just 12.3 points per game. And that is against some strong competition.
But Alabama will represent the Bulldogs’ biggest challenge to date, if not all year. While the Crimson Tide defense is looking a tad suspect, the offense is certainly picking up the slack.
QB Mac Jones has been outstanding stepping in for the departed Tua Tagovailoa, completing a ridiculous 79.5 percent of his passes for 1,101 yards with eight touchdowns and one pick. But what makes Bama so dangerous is the arsenal at Jones’ disposal, highlighted by Devonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle and John Metchie on the outside, plus Najee Harris in the backfield.
Obviously, the Alabama offense versus the Georgia defense is the matchup to watch, but when the other units are on the field, the Dawgs are struggling to run the ball (3.8 yards per carry) and Nick Saban should make just enough adjustments on defense to pull this one out and cover this short spread (by Alabama standards) at home.
PREDICTION: Alabama -6 (-110)
Over/Under pick
The total may not stand a chance in this game. Oddsmakers have set the number at 57, which is a nod to just how good the Georgia defense has been. But the way the SEC is playing football this season, it’s hard to think that even a good Dawgs’ defense will do enough to slow down Bama. The Tide has just too many weapons. I mean, they are averaging 51 points per game at this point, so even holding them to 30 points is a huge win for Georgia.
Meanwhile, the Alabama defense has been, um, porous, to put it nicely. The Tide have allowed 473 total yards and 30.3 points per game so far this season, and they haven’t really faced anyone that daunting on their schedule to this point. Bama has been a little better against the run, but have been just shredded through the air, as the 322.3 passing yards per game they are giving up ranks 70th in the country — and only 74 teams have suited up at this point in the season.
It shouldn’t be a shock to see both teams hit the 30-point plateau in this one.
PREDICTION: Over 57 (-110)
Team to Score First Pick
While Georgia has had an impressive start to this season, it has had a couple of slow starts. The Bulldogs trailed Arkansas 7-5 at half in their opener and last week they were down 21-17 heading into the break against Tennessee, and they are averaging just 5.7 first-quarter points per game this season.
On the other side, Alabama ranks sixth in the country when it comes to first-quarter scoring, averaging 11.6 per contest. The Crimson Tide are a good bet to open the scoring.
PREDICTION: Team to score first - Alabama (-125)
Georgia vs Alabama betting card
- Alabama -6 (-110)
- Over 57 (-110)
- Team to score first - Alabama (-125)
Did you know that if you parlayed today’s NCAA Georgia vs. Alabama picks, you could win $55.60 on a $10 bet?
Use our NCAA parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
Where can I bet on college football?
You can bet on college football odds at every online and casino sportsbooks, including NCAA football point spreads, Over/Under totals, derivative bets and even prop plays as well. Head over to our best-suggested sportsbooks for the top spots to bet on college football odds in your area.
