For the fourth time in eight seasons the Alabama Crimson Tide and Georgia Bulldogs will tangle for the SEC championship in a rematch of one of the best regular season games. On the strength of their 24-21 win at Georgia in Week 5 and tie-breakers, the Tide earned the SEC regular season title. The game is set for Saturday, Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. ET from Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta and can be seen on ABC.
Georgia vs. Alabama Preview
Georgia’s only loss was to Alabama in Week 5 leaving them as a lock to be included in the CFP regardless of the outcome. The penultimate CFP rankings had them at No. 3 behind the only teams that went unbeaten during the regular season. The Dawgs weren’t as dominant this season as they have been, but they came up with four wins over ranked foes.
UGA’s offense hummed along led by Gunner Stockton, who completed more than 70 percent of his passes with 20 TDs and 5 interceptions. He showed prowess as a dual threat with 403 rushing yards and a team-high 8 TDs. The Dawgs had the SEC’s 7th best scoring offense and total offense.
- After giving up a total of 65 points in consecutive games against Tennessee and Alabama, the defense tightened up holding five of the last eight opponents to 14 points or less.
- The Dawgs rank 12th nationally allowing 16.7 points per game and have cashed the UNDER against the college football odds in their last 3 games.
- Georgia trailed at some point in seven of their eight conference games yet managed to overcome the deficits and go 7-1.
- UGA was 5-2-1 ATS in its eight SEC games.
Despite winning the SEC regular season title in a tie-breaker with three other teams that finished 7-1, Alabama is in a tricky position. Their season-opening loss to Florida State could come back to haunt them with a loss to UGA giving them three defeats and they could get left out of the CFP. The only way to avoid that scenario is to win.
With Ty Simpson having a season worthy of Heisman consideration, the Tide had one of the better passing games. Simpson completed 65.8 percent of his passes for 3,056 yards with 25 TDs and only 4 INTs. And despite a run game that ranks 103rd nationally, Alabama still averaged more than 33 points per game.
- The Tide averages just 3.7 yards per carry and could be without leading rusher Jam Miller, who exited the Auburn game with a leg injury.
- Bama finished the season slightly better than UGA allowing an average of 16.5 points per game and cashing the UNDER in its last four games.
- Alabama has the 9th best red zone defense allowing a TD on 43.3 percent of opponent drives.
- Bama is 7-2-2 ATS in its last 11 games.
Georgia vs. Alabama Predictions
This game sets up to be a lot like the regular season matchup. The defenses were strong in that outing leading to the teams playing UNDER the total in Alabama’s 24-21 win. There’s also more at stake for the Tide leading me to back them and the points.
Georgia vs. Alabama Betting Tips
- Despite a home loss earlier in the season Georgia opened as a 2.5-point favorite.
- The Dawgs are -141 on the college football odds with Alabama at +125.
- Alabama was profitable at the betting window going 7-3-2 ATS.
- The total surfaced at 47.5, 6.5 points lower than their Week 5 meeting.
- The Tide cashed the UNDER in four straight games and in 8 of its last 9.
- The UNDER is 4-1 in Georgia’s last five games.
Georgia vs. Alabama Head to Head and Key Stats
- The teams meet again in one of the SEC’s best rivalries with Alabama holding a 45-26-4 lead in the all-time series.
- The Tide has won 10 of the last 11 matchups with payouts in five of the last six.
- This will be the fifth meeting in the SEC championship game making it the second most played matchup. Alabama won the previous four games.
- The teams played UNDER the total in three of the last four meetings.
- UGA’s lone victory in the last 11 games was in the 2021 season national championship game, 33-18.
