The most anticipated game of the young college football season is upon us. While teams from the Big Ten and Pac 12 have yet to take the field, the two best SEC programs are vying for conference supremacy. The winner of Saturday night\u2019s game between Georgia and Alabama can almost certainly punch its ticket to the College Football Playoff. These teams are currently ranked second and third in the AP Poll, but the winner could vault Clemson to grab the No. 1 ranking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
College Football Betting Odds<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Georgia +4.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Alabama -4.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Total 56.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Crimson Tide were originally a 6.5-point favorite<\/a> when the college football betting odds were released on Sunday, but there has been a lot of action on the Bulldogs. Many sharp bettors pounced on Georgia getting so many points even before Nick Saban contracted COVID-19, and this line may fall even further prior to kickoff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s been a while since the Bulldogs were able to beat the Crimson Tide though. Georgia hasn\u2019t defeated Saban since his first year in Tuscaloosa, and the Bulldogs suffered the most heartbreaking defeat in program history to the Crimson Tide just three years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alabama Offense vs. Georgia Defense<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This offense is rated the best in the country per Bill Connelly\u2019s SP+. Alabama hasn\u2019t missed a beat without Tua Tagovailoa, Henry Ruggs III, or Jerry Jeudy, as Mac Jones has shined at quarterback with two other potential first-round talents catching passes from him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jones has thrown for over 400 yards in his last two games, and he has averaged more than 10 YPA in all three of Alabama\u2019s games this season. On the year, he is completing 79.5 percent of his passes for 13.3 YPA with eight touchdowns and an interception, and those numbers would surpass Tagovailoa if they stayed level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jaylen Waddle and Devonta Smith have been his two favorite targets, and both players are showing they could be first-round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. Waddle Smith, and John Metchie III have received the vast majority of the attention in the passing game, as the three players are responsible for over 1,000 yards on their own through three games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, the Crimson Tide still run the ball exceptionally well. Najee Harris is a bruiser that can move the chains. He currently has 52 carries for 347 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year, and he has proven he can catch the ball out of the backfield too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Georgia\u2019s defense has the potential to be one of the best units we\u2019ve ever seen though. The Bulldogs are currently twice as good as the next-best defense according to SP+, and they are absolutely loaded with talent on this side of the ball. They are allowing just 3.5 yards per play and 236.7 YPG this season, and opponents can only run for a measly 1.5 YPC against this front seven. That makes the total in this game<\/a> somewhat interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Georgia Offense vs. Alabama Defense<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Bulldogs have put their season on the shoulders of Stetson Bennett IV. The former walk-on quarterback was fourth on the depth chart back in August. However, Jamie Newman\u2019s decision to opt out, J.T. Daniels\u2019 injury, and D\u2019Wan Mathis\u2019 ineffective play against Arkansas led to Bennett taking over under center, and he has played well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bennett has completed 63.1 percent of his passes for 8.2 YPA with five touchdowns and no interceptions. He isn\u2019t a mobile threat, but Kirby Smart just wants him to play mistake-free football and throw accurate passes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kearis Jackson has been his favorite target by a mile, catching 19 passes for 300 yards and a touchdown, but sophomore phenom George Pickens is due to have a big game. Pickens is one of the most skilled receivers in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smart would love to keep the ball on the ground as much as possible against Alabama, but that\u2019s not likely to happen. The Bulldogs are averaging just 3.8 YPC this season, and Zamir White is the only player with more than 100 rushing yards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This Crimson Tide defense is not the shutdown unit we have seen in years\u2019 past though. Alabama\u2019s linebackers are not performing up to standard, and the secondary was gashed by Ole Miss last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prediction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The stars are finally aligning for Georgia this year. The Bulldogs actually have more talent than the Crimson Tide according to the 247 Sports Composite, and they are the first team in a long time that can out-Bama Alabama. Georgia can win an ugly game here, so the Bulldogs are the play on the moneyline<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Follow our <\/em>Twitter account<\/em><\/a> for the latest sports news and wagering odds, and come to our <\/em>Instagram<\/em><\/a> for more useful betting info too.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The most anticipated game of the young college football season is upon us. 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