Alabama vs Georgia 2018 SEC Championship Odds & Preview

Alabama and Georgia will meet for the 69th time on Saturday in a rivalry that dates all the way back to 1895. It will be the second year in a row when they play for high stakes, as the two teams met last year for the national championship, with Alabama winning in overtime, and now they play for the SEC Championship. Alabama has won 39 of the previous 68 meetings between the two teams and has not lost to Georgia since September 22, 2007, when the Bulldogs delivered a 26-23 overtime win in Tuscaloosa. Can Georgia pull off what many would consider a significant upset and win? Or will Alabama simply roll to another easy victory? Take a look at our NCAAF betting prediction.

Alabama vs Georgia 2018 SEC Championship Odds & Preview

Alabama remains #1 in the @CFBPlayoff rankings!#RollTide⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠#OutworkYesterday pic.twitter.com/Jso3rAzlzx

— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) November 28, 2018

When: Saturday, December 1, 4:00pm ET Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta TV: CBS Radio: Georgia Bulldog Sports Network from IMG / Alabama Crimson Tide Sports Network Live Stream: CBSSports.com 2018 SEC Championship Odds: Alabama -10.5, O/U 62

Why should you bet on the Crimson Tide?

Alabama (12-0, 8-0 SEC) has dominated each of their opponents this season. There are no wins on the Crimson Tide resume that show that they have struggled to finish opponents off. In 12 games, Tua Tagovailoa has thrown for 3,189 yards and 36 scores (with just two picks) despite the fact that he has often sat in the second half when the games have gotten out of hand before halftime. The top receiver for the Crimson Tide has been Jerry Jeudy, who has caught 56 passes for 1,079 yards and 11 scores. However, Henry Ruggs III, Irv Smith Jr and Jaylen Waddle each have at least 600 receiving yards, showing the balance that the Alabama offense has. Alabama scores 49 points per game, second-most in the nation — and they permit just 13.8 points per game, third best overall. As far as the spread goes, the Tide have covered five times in their last six games despite having point spreads that are regularly three touchdowns or more. They have also covered in four straight games against teams with winning records. If you like Alabama, you see their defense shutting down Jake Fromm and the Georgia attack the same way they have shut down every other offense they have faced this season and their speed opening up opportunities against the Georgia defense.

Why should you put your money on the Bulldogs?

Georgia (11-1, 7-1 SEC) took a beating at LSU, the same place where Alabama  dealt the Tigers a 29-0 whipping. Jake Fromm has had a solid year, throwing for 2,236 yards and 24 scores against just five interceptions, and Georgia has gotten 16 touchdowns from tailbacks Elijah Holyfield and D’Andre Swift. Georgia relies a little more heavily on the run than Alabama does, but they have the offensive line to blow holes open and grind down the opposition. Georgia definitely has the hunger factor after giving up a halftime lead and seeing Alabama take the national title from them, but they also have the talent and speed to match up with the Tide…at least for a while. The underdog has covered in five straight meetings between these two teams, and Georgia has covered in four of their last five SEC games. They also have covered in four straight against teams with winning records. If you like Georgia, you see the intangibles keeping this game close, and there are few teams in the nation with the personnel and the hunger to stop Alabama, or at least to stay close. A win over Alabama could vault Georgia into the College Football Playoff, ahead of Oklahoma and Ohio State.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

Georgia had their best chance to stop Alabama in the national championship last year, until Tua Tagovailoa came on at halftime and led the Tide to a win. Georgia has had all season to look at film of Tagovailoa and find a way to stop him this time. However, the ease with which Alabama has beaten team after team this season, including then-#3 LSU on the road, tells me that Georgia will not be able to stay within double digits. I predict a final score of Alabama 41, Georgia 27.