Hope you liked the SEC title game because Alabama and Georgia are meeting again, this time for the national title. The Crimson Tide completely shut down Cincinnati’s offense and eventually pulled away for a 21-point victory in their semifinal. The Bulldogs completely overmatched Michigan in a game that was over by halftime.
There are no questions about who belongs in this game. The question is will the result be the same as last time? In the SEC Championship Game back on Dec. 4, Alabama won 41-24. The Bulldogs led 10-0 early in the second quarter, but Alabama exploded for 24 points in the second quarter and never looked back. Bryce Young threw for 421 yards and three touchdowns, locking up the Heisman Trophy in the process. Meanwhile, Alabama got pressure on Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett with two interceptions and three sacks.
The Bulldogs were 6.5-point favorites and the total was 49 the first time around. Alabama covered by more than three touchdowns and the over hit early in the fourth quarter. The lines have adjusted for the rematch, but Georgia is still a small favorite.
This game is Jan. 10 with a kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. Indianapolis plays host from Lucas Oil Stadium.
Odds, Over/Under, Moneyline
| Team | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
|
-2.5 |
52.5 |
-150 |
|
|
+125 |
Odds updated at 3 p.m. ET on Jan. 1. Click here for live odds.
Alabama-Georgia storylines
Alabama’s win over Cincinnati isn’t about P5 vs. G5 — it’s about the elite vs. everyone else
An inspired Orange Bowl performance gives Georgia one more bite at Alabama
Vannini: Another year of semifinal blowouts illustrates why the College Football Playoff must expand
Expert pick
We’ve seen this game before. Alabama won handily and the over came in early in the fourth quarter. Both Alabama and Georgia put up impressive defensive performances in the semifinals. Will the defenses have adjusted from the SEC title game? Coaching will play a huge factor in this one. Can one of the staffs make a significant shift or will we see the same game we saw in early December? I’m not going against Nick Saban, but I think the over is a better play than picking a side. — Dan Santaromita, associate editor, sports betting
(Photo of Slade Bolden: Ron Jenkins / Getty Images; The Athletic may receive an affiliate commission if you open an account with BetMGM through links contained in the above article.)
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