The No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs (12-0) and No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide (11-1) battle in the SEC Championship Game Saturday at 4 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Below, we look at the Georgia vs. Alabama odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
The East Division champion Bulldogs haven’t been tested for a while, but that’s more their fault — for being just that good — than that of the SEC schedule makers. Even in three midseason games against ranked foes (Oct. 2-16), UGA outscored Arkansas, Auburn, and Kentucky 101-23. The Bulldogs head into this contest having allowed just 6.9 points per game (first FBS).
The West Division champion Crimson Tide is coming off a four-overtime barn-burner against Auburn (24-22 win).
With QB Bryce Young leading the way, Alabama’s passing game has cranked out 372.3 passing yards per game over the team’s last seven contests. Though not without a couple of near-missteps along the way, UA has won six in a row since falling to Texas A&M on Oct. 9.
Rankings courtesy of the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Georgia vs. Alabama odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 7:36 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Georgia -270 (bet $270 to win $100) | Alabama +210 (bet $100 to win $210)
- Against the spread (ATS): Georgia -6.5 (-115) | Alabama +6.5 (-107)
- Over/Under (O/U): 48.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Georgia vs. Alabama odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Georgia 31, Alabama 23
Money line
Georgia is the lean but is only an actionable play to about -240. PASS.
Against the spread
The Bulldogs are a run-first offense, but they can be balanced and dangerous on key drives. The Alabama pass defense is gettable, especially for a team that can attack it with balance. The Georgia offense is efficient in staying ahead of the chains and taking care of the ball.
The sensational UGA defense should give the Bulldogs enough leeway to build a lead and get this game into the fourth with a two-score lead. There is some rook for a back-door falter against the number. But a lock-down, vice grip on something in the 7-to-10-point range is also all too likely.
BACK GEORGIA -6.5 (-115).
Over/Under
The public has often envisioned too much SEC defensive chessboard when these two programs meet. The perception has been off, making for profit potential for Over bettors.
The Over is 7-1-1 in the last nine meetings between UGA and UA. That includes last year when the total was set 56 in an October meeting.
Alabama’s ability to make big plays and minimize havoc in the passing game make for enough ammo on that side of the equation.
For Georgia, passing efficiency and big plays through the air get added to the mix. The result is a game with a decent potential to reach the 50s.
TAKE THE OVER 48.5 (-112).
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