It’s the showdown most college football fans wanted and expected as Georgia meets Alabama in the SEC championship game Saturday afternoon in Atlanta. The Bulldogs are playing for their first conference title since 2017, but they’re also assuredly on their way to the College Football Playoff, even if they lose this game. The Crimson Tide, meanwhile, are playing for their eighth SEC crown over the last 13 seasons but might need a win here to make the CFP. The line on this game lists the Tide as underdogs for the first time since October of 2015 – 92 games ago. How are we playing this game with our free college football betting pick?
SEC Championship Game Betting Odds
Championship Week’s college football betting lines opened UGA as a four-point favorite over Alabama, with an over/under of right around 52. Early betting action then goosed the Bulldogs two and a half points to -6.5 and dropped that total two and a half points to 49.5.
SEC Championship Game Betting Preview
Georgia reached this SEC championship game by going 8-0 in conference play to win the East Division. The Bulldogs opened this season with a tough 10-3 win over Clemson, then rolled everybody else from there, winning all the rest of their games by at least 17 points, most by a lot more than that. Most recently, Georgia completed its perfect regular season by blanking rival Georgia Tech last week 45-0. The Bulldogs hit the board on their first four possessions of the game last week, led 24-0 at the half, then pulled away in the second half and covered the spread as 35-point favorites. Georgia out-gained the Yellowjackets 463-171, out-rushed Georgia Tech 208-98, and didn’t commit either a turnover or a penalty. This season, the Bulldogs out-gained 11 of their 12 opponents and out-rushed all 12 foes. They also held seven of their 12 opponents to seven points or less! At 12-0 overall, Georgia is also ranked No. 1 in the CFP ratings. So the Bulldogs are going to make the Playoff regardless of whether they win or lose Saturday. Still, we’re sure they’d like to beat Alabama and eliminate any chance of meeting up with the Tide again in the CFP. ‘Bama, meanwhile, reached this SEC title tilt by going 7-1 in conference play to win the SEC West. This season, the Tide started 5-0 with a win over Ole Miss that eventually decided the division, then got upset at Texas A&M 41-38. Alabama then won its last six games in a row, surviving three close calls along the way. Last week the Tide finished off their regular season by out-lasting rival Auburn in four overtimes in the Iron Bowl 24-22. Alabama, favored by 20 points last week, trailed the Tigers 10-0 into the fourth quarter, then scored 10 points, the last seven on a touchdown with 24 seconds left, to force OT. The Tide eventually won it in the fourth overtime with a defensive stop and a successful 2-point conversion. Alabama out-gained Auburn 317-137, and while it only produced 71 yards on the ground, it only gave up 22. So the Tide have out-gained each of their last nine opponents and out-rushed eight of their last nine foes. Two weeks ago, Alabama only led Arkansas by six points well into the fourth quarter before prevailing 42-35; a month ago, the Tide only beat LSU 20-14; and earlier this season ‘Bama needed a hold on a late Florida 2-point attempt to beat the Gators 31-29. Combine that loss to the Aggies with those close calls, and Alabama may need a victory Saturday to make the CFP.
Common Opponents
These two teams played four common opponents this season. Georgia played Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, and Tennessee to a record of 4-0 both SU and ATS and +99 yards per game, while Alabama played those four foes to 4-0 SU, 1-3 ATS, and +136 YPG.
- Get more details: Georgia vs. Alabama Betting Stats
Georgia-Alabama Recent History
The Crimson Tide owns a six-game winning streak in the rivalry with the Bulldogs, although the teams have split those six games ATS. Last season in Tuscaloosa, Alabama trailed Georgia 24-20 at the half, then won the second half 21-0 and covered at -6.
Also, that game played over a total of 56.
More Picks: Get Jay’s Georgia vs. Alabama Total Pick
College Football Betting Trends
Favorites are 12-0 SU, 9-3 ATS over the last 12 SEC championship games.
Totals Report
- The Under is 7-5 in Bulldogs games this season, which are averaging 48 total points.
- Totals are split 6-6 in Tide games this season, which are averaging 63 points.
- Overs are 5-1-1 over the last seven meetings between these two teams.
