MENU
The number 1 team in the nation, the Alabama Crimson Tide, stake their unbeaten record against the 5th ranked Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship game on December 1st at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
It can be recalled that the Crimson Tide edged the Bulldogs 26-23 during last season’s National Championship Game.
Almost A Perfect Season
Georgia’s path to an unbeaten season hit a road bump in Week 7 as they fell to the then 13th ranked LSU Tigers 16-36 in Death Valley. Since that defeat, the Bulldogs have rebounded with five consecutive wins, the last of which was a 45-21 conquest of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The Bulldogs have been in the Top 10 all season long and were ranked as high as #2 before their only drop after the loss to the Tigers. Georgia has beaten its opponents by an average winning margin of 27.73
Sophomore quarterback Jake Fromm ranks next to Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in quarterback rating at 86.1. Fromm has thrown for a total of 2,236 passing yards with a total of 24 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Georgia’s running game is anchored on running back D’Andre Swift who is also a sophomore. Swift has contributed 9 touchdowns from a total of 962 rushing yards this season.
Georgia vs Alabama 12/1/18
Moneyline Odds: Georgia +405, Alabama -500
Odds from betonline.ag as of 11/27/18
A Perfect Season
The Alabama Crimson Tide are only one of the four unbeaten teams in college football this season but they hold the distinction of being the top ranked team in the nation. The Crimson Tide defeated Auburn 52-21 the last time out to complete their perfect 12-0 season. Alabama blasted away their opposition as they won by an average winning margin of 34.42 points per game.
The Alabama offense is led by Heisman Trophy favorite Tua Tagovailoa who has thrown for a total of 3,189 yards with 36 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. The sophomore quarterback from Hawaii ranks second in the nation in quarterback rating at 95.9. Tagovailoa and Kyler Murray are the only quarterbacks to have a rating of at least 90 this season.
Who Wins?
Georgia is 11-1 SU in 12 games played this season and are also 5-0 SU in their last 5 games played. Alabama is 12-0 SU on the season and is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games played. Head to head, the Crimson Tide are 4-1 SU in their last five games against the Bulldogs.
This SEC Championship game features two of the top 10 defenses in the nation. Georgia surrenders the 10th fewest points in the nation at 17.2 points per game while Alabama gives up 13.8 points per game which is the third fewest in FBS. Offensively, the Crimson Tide rank 2nd in scoring at 49.0 while the Bulldogs score 40.1 points per game which is 13th best in the nation.
Both teams play similar styles and produce fairly similar numbers during the regular season. But while both teams have very good quarterbacks, the Crimson Tide have the edge in that department with Tagovailoa. The defense in this game is what strikes me though as I think more than trying to outscore the other, each team would want to win this game by trying to stop the other from scoring. I This game is played at a neutral venue but since it’s in Atlanta, you can’t help but think the Bulldogs are going to feel some home field advantage over the Crimson Tide. Game-wise, I think Alabama has the advantage on but not much. Still, I believe they are the #1 team in the country for a reason. They are going to prove that on December 1st.
We’re picking the Alabama Crimson Tide to beat the Georgia Bulldogs and win the SEC championship on 12/1/18.
Other Bets To Make
The Bulldogs are 7-5 ATS during the regular season and are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games played. The Crimson Tide are 8-4 ATS on the season and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games played. Head to head, Georgia is 4-2-1 ATS in their last 7 games against Alabama.
Georgia is 4-0 ATS in their last four December games. The Bulldogs are also 4-1 ATS in their last five conference games and an immaculate 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games played at a neutral site. The underdog is 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings between these teams.
Georgia vs Alabama 12/1/18
Spread Odds: Georgia +13 (-110), Alabama -13 (-110)
Odds from betonline.ag as of 11/27/18
Alabama has been routing opponents here and there but I don’t think they are going to blow out Georgia in this one. The Crimson Tide have won the last four meetings between these two teams but they have only covered two out of their last seven games played. The average scoring difference in their last 8 games played is only 7.25 points per game. I like the Crimson Tide to win this game but I don’t think they are going to win by double digits.
Prediction: Georgia +13
The total has gone over in 5 out of the last six games of Georgia. The total has also gone over in 9 out of the last 13 games played by Alabama. Head to head, the total has gone over in six out of their last seven meetings.
Georgia vs Alabama 12/1/18
Over/Under Odds: Over 64 -105, Under 64 -115
Odds from betonline.ag as of 11/27/18
Alabama allows the third fewest points in the league at 13.8 points per game while Georgia has the 10th best scoring defense in FBS at 17.2 points per game given up. If you take a look at the trends, they point to the over but if you look at the numbers they aren’t even in the 60’s. Four out of Georgia’s last five games have hit the over but the total combined core was only 58.67. Six of the last seven meetings between these teams have gone over but the average combined total in those games has only been 55.57. Both are well below 64 and given these are two of the top defenses in the nation, that total is going to go under.
Prediction: Under 64
Miami Heat vs Milwaukee Bucks 04/19/2023 NBA Odds and Prediction
New York Mets vs Los Angeles Dodgers 04/17/2023 MLB Preview and Prediction
Minnesota Twins vs New York Yankees 04/14/2023 MLB Preview and Prediction
OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans 04/12/2023 NBA Play-in Tournament Odds and Prediction
