Alabama faces its biggest challenge of the Kalen DeBoer era on Saturday when the No. 4-ranked Crimson Tide (3-0) welcome the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs (3-0) to Tuscaloosa in an early-season SEC showdown.
Alabama has started life after Nick Saban with relatively easy victories against Western Kentucky, USF, and Wisconsin, while Georgia dominated Clemson and Tennessee Tech before winning a nailbiter at Kentucky.
As we get set for ESPN’s College GameDay matchup of the weekend, let’s dig into the latest betting odds before making my Georgia vs Alabama prediction and best bets.
Georgia vs Alabama Odds
College football odds are current as of Monday, Sept. 23, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Moneyline: Georgia (-125) vs Alabama (+105)
- Spread: Georgia -2 (-110) vs Alabama +2 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 48.5 (-110) / Under 48.5 (-110)
Georgia vs Alabama Prediction
Georgia 31, Alabama 24
Whenever these two elite programs come together, you’re going to get a compelling football game.
That should be the case again on Saturday as Georgia tries to avenge its 27-24 defeat in last year’s SEC Championship Game, which kept the Bulldogs out of the College Football Playoff and sent the Tide in their stead.
In that game, Alabama QB Jalen Milroe outplayed his opposite number, Carson Beck, throwing for 192 yards and a pair of first-half touchdowns to help the Tide win their eighth game against the Bulldogs in nine tries.
That run could continue if Beck and the Georgia offense don’t get back on track after a dismal performance in a 13-12 victory at Kentucky last time out. However, that unit should employ some new wrinkles coming out of the bye, and crucially, the Bulldogs are getting some key playmakers back on defense.
Sportsbook Play of the Day
Georgia vs Alabama Best Bets
Georgia -2 (-110)
Georgia has lost just two games since the start of the 2021 college football season. Both have come against Alabama. I don’t think Kirby Smart lets lightning strike thrice.
Despite some impressive-looking results, the Tide haven’t been flawless this season. They struggled against USF before running up the score late with four fourth-quarter touchdowns, and the offense has had its fair share of miscues with penalties and turnovers.
Georgia’s defense should be the best unit in this game, giving it the edge on Saturday. Back the Bulldogs to cover this short spread as one of your best college football bets today.
Over 48.5 Points (-110)
The last six meetings in this rivalry have gone Over this number, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that run continues.
This total has come down a few points since opening at 50.5 on Sunday, but I’m not buying into potential concerns about the offenses or the weather, which looks to be improving for Saturday night’s kickoff.
Ideally, I’d prefer to buy the Over at the key number of 48, but this game should be played in the low 50s.