Betting Preview
Game Details
- Matchup: Alabama Crimson Tide at Georgia Bulldogs
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 2
- Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Odds Summary
- Moneyline: Alabama +154, Georgia -185
- Spread: Alabama +4.5 (-110), Georgia -4.5 (-110)
- Total: Over/Under 55.5 (-105/-115)
Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook. Subject to change.
The two powerhouses of the SEC, Georgia and Alabama, will compete Saturday to decide the conference champion. The Bulldogs (12-0) have won 29 games in a row and look to hoist their second consecutive conference title, but it won’t be easy against the Crimson Tide (11-1).
Georgia’s winning streak began following a loss to Alabama in the 2021 SEC Championship Game. The Bulldogs avenged the loss in the National Championship Game that season, dethroning the Tide 33-18.
Alabama must play perfectly to beat Georgia, but they have momentum following their last-minute Iron Bowl victory against Auburn. Still, the Tide will need more than momentum to tackle the Bulldogs.
Moneyline
On Wednesday, the moneyline was -218 for Georgia and +180 for Alabama. The odds narrowed by game day, with Georgia priced at -185 and Alabama at +154. The betting public was liking the plus-odds on the Crimson Tide.
The Wednesday prices didn’t reflect how close this game could be. We believe the Bulldogs will win the game based on their dominance this season, but it should be tightly contested.
The Tide are capable of keeping this game to a field goal, and there may be times on Saturday when they hold a lead. We recommend live betting the moneyline. The earlier -218 price was hefty, even for Georgia, in the SEC Championship against a team playing at a high level.
Alabama has come a long way since its lone loss to Texas earlier this season. The Tide have ripped off 10 straight wins since and should be able to keep this game competitive.
The critics are coming for Alabama after it nearly lost to Auburn last week, but many forget that the Tigers also took the Bulldogs down to the wire. This game could easily be back and forth, which might present some live betting opportunities.
If Georgia dominates, there will be chances to live bet point spreads, a viable strategy for what could be the most tightly contested conference championship game this weekend.
Point Spread
The Bulldogs are 4.5-point favorites on the spread, but we will take the points with the Crimson Tide.
The key for Alabama will be containing tight end Brock Bowers. Bowers is expected to be a top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he has played like it this season when healthy.
The 6’4, 240-pound tight end has caught 51 passes for 661 yards with six touchdowns. Despite missing three games, he’s Georgia’s leading receiver and has helped Carson Beck settle into his starting quarterback role.
Bowers usually answers the call whenever the Bulldogs need a big vertical play. He is also used frequently in the screen game and as a safety valve for Beck.
If the Crimson Tide can keep Bowers in check and get off the field on third down, they’re explosive enough on offense to score points. Quarterback Jalen Milroe has been unstoppable with his legs since the middle of the season, and Alabama isn’t afraid of being creative with him in the running game. Georgia hasn’t seen a quarterback as dynamic as Milroe this season, and it should take some time to adjust.
Over/Under
The Over/Under earlier this week was 54.5 points, moving to 55.5 by Saturday. We still lean toward the Over in the SEC Championship.
The Crimson Tide are 9-2-1 against the Over this season, while the Bulldogs are 6-6 thanks to their defense. Georgia’s schedule hasn’t been demanding, however, so its defense hasn’t been truly tested yet.
That will change this week. Georgia averages 39.6 points per game, second in the conference and one spot ahead of Alabama (35.8). There’s a ton of offensive firepower on both sides, and it should take many points to win on Saturday.
Both coaching staffs must be aggressive in their play-calling to keep pace. These are two of the best offensive teams in the nation, so this will likely be a shootout.
The past three SEC title games have sailed Over this line. Expect that trend to continue.
Player Prop
A playable prop bet at DraftKings is Jalen Milroe Over 218.5 passing yards.
Milroe has been the story of the Crimson Tide’s season. Without him, they wouldn’t be here.
The sophomore signal-caller has improved dramatically as a passer this season, averaging 229.6 passing yards per game on a 66.4% completion rate. He’s been more aggressive pushing the ball downfield, too, averaging 10.6 yards per attempt.
The Bulldogs are elite on defense, allowing just 176.5 passing yards per game. However, Alabama will need Milroe to throw often if it wants to stay in this game.
Milroe has exceeded this line in six of his past seven games; look for him to do it again.
