(Photo: Reinhold Matay, USA TODAY Sports) Alabama vs. 5) Projected line: Alabama -13.5. The word: One of several neutral site 'good on good' matchups during college football's Week 1. Alabama Odds to Make 2020-21 College Football Playoff Yes (-200) or No (+165) The national picture has Alabama as the third favorite to be a playoff team again this year, behind Clemson (-670) and Ohio State (-230). No other program is listed with a minus beside their name, so again, future projections on this year's Alabama team are quite high.
The showdown is here.
Georgia. Alabama. The top dog against another.
It's a chance for the Bulldogs to make their statement, one that has been long-awaited since suffering two crushing championship defeats to the Crimson Tide. The game of the year looms, and many will be glued to see who leads the race for an SEC and national championship.
Here's your first look at Saturday's game against two undefeated and first-place teams.
No. 3 Georgia (3-0) at No. 2 Alabama (3-0)
Time: 8 p.m. Eastern
Place: Bryant-Denny Stadium (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
TV: CBS
Top storylines for Crimson Tide vs. Bulldogs
Ending the drought: Georgia has repetitively tried to get the Alabama 'monkey' off of its back. It has proven true throughout the Kirby Smart era, too, as the Bulldogs' head coach has no wins over his former boss. The teams square off for the third time in three years, the other two being Georgia losses in high-leverage championship situations.
Georgia hasn't beaten Alabama in 13 years and have lost seven-consecutive contests. The win in 2007, however, came on the overtime pass to Mikey Henderson inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. Georgia has won its last two meetings in Tuscaloosa.
After Alabama's win Saturday over Ole Miss and Lane Kiffin, Nick Saban's record against former assistants rises to 22-0.
A new test for Stetson Bennett: The story has been fun. Georgia has entrusted Stetson Bennett as starting quarterback and leader of the offense. He's the two-star former walk-on. He was never supposed to have much of a shot at the role, even leading up to the season opener. Through it all, the small-town kid has shined with much success for the Bulldogs.
But Alabama isn't just any other opponent.
Bennett had an up-and-down showing against Tennessee, nearly throwing a couple of interceptions. He will have to regroup on the biggest of stages. Under the lights with millions of eyes set on him, can Bennett continue his roll against the nation's No. 2 team?
A different type of Alabama: Over recent years (well, the last decade-plus), Alabama's backbone has been its defense. Saban's groups have shut opponents down and it has led the Crimson Tide to success, much like Georgia does now.
But 2020 has introduced a new brand of Alabama football: a lot of offense. It's potent. Georgia might not see a more-productive unit all season. Alabama has posted 38, 52 and 63 points in its first three games, respectively.
Alabama football players to watch
Alabama Auburn Football Betting Line
RB Najee Harris: Seemingly, Najee Harris has been at Alabama forever. But he's become one of the nation's best backs in 2020. Georgia's defense has been unbelievably solid this season, but Harris will present his own challenge. Through three games, he has 347 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.
WR Devonta Smith: The 2nd-and-26 moment in the national championship game was only the beginning for Devonta Smith. He hasn't stopped. Smith has elevated his way to becoming Alabama's top receiver with 316 yards and two touchdowns.
QB Mac Jones: There's not much of a chance that Georgia will get beaten by an Alabama backup quarterback in this matchup. At least there shouldn't be. The Crimson Tide are rolling with Mac Jones, and he's led a potent offense. Jones has recorded 1,101 yards and eight touchdowns through three games.
LB Dylan Moses: Alabama's defense doesn't hold its prototypical mold, Dylan Moses has upheld his reliable status. He has recorded 27 tackles and anchored the unit.
Vegas odds: Georgia vs Alabama and SEC football point spread
Auburn (-3) at South Carolina, noon, ESPN
Kentucky at Tennessee (-5.5), noon, SEC Network
Ole Miss at Arkansas (-3), 3:30, ESPN2
Texas A&M at Mississippi State (-3), 4 p.m., SEC Network
LSU at Florida (-13.5), 3:30 p.m., CBS
Alabama Georgia Football Betting Line
Vanderbilt at Missouri (-18.5), 7:30, SEC Network
Georgia at Alabama (-5), 8 p.m., CBS
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The Alabama Crimson Tide (4-0) and Tennessee Volunteers (2-2) clash in an SEC matchup Saturday at Neyland Stadium at 3:30 p.m. E.T. We analyze the Alabama-Tennessee college football betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Alabama is second in the Amway Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Alabama at Tennessee: Betting odds and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports' betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 2:35 p.m. ET.
Money line: Alabama -1250 (bet $1,250, win $100) | Tennessee +725 (bet $100, win $725)Against the spread/ATS
Alabama at Tennesee: Three things to know
Get some action on this game or any other matchup with a legal, online bet at BetMGM in CO, IN, NJ and WV. Risk-free first bet up to $500, paid in free bets. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!
Alabama at Tennessee: Odds, prediction, betting lines and picks
Prediction
Alabama 48, Tennessee 21
Money line (ML)
Alabama is a three-touchdown favorite over Tennessee but there just isn't a lot of value on either side in this matchup. Alabama is arguably the best team in all of college football, and it would be a shock if the Tide lost this game.
The odds just aren't good enough to put any money down on the money line. PASS on this line in favor of the point spread.
Against the spread (ATS)
ALABAMA -21.5 (-106) is a huge favorite over Tennessee and frankly, it's still not enough points to consider taking the Volunteers. Alabama's offense can score at will and the Tide don't mind pouring on the points at the end of games. With their deep passing attack, points can come in a hurry and that's what makes them such a difficult team to pick against.
Take the Crimson Tide here, considering they have covered the spread in 10 of their last 14 meetings against the Volunteers.
Over/Under (O/U)
The total for this SEC matchup is set at 65.5 points, yet that somehow doesn't feel like quite enough. Alabama has scored 38, 52, 63 and 41 points this season and it feels like the offense is just starting to come together. If Tennesee can reach 20 or so points, that should allow the OVER 65.5 (-110) to hit as Alabama should score into the upper 40s with ease.
Want some action on this game? Place a legal, online bet in CO, IN, NJ and WV at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Alabama Football Gambling Line Michigan
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Alabama Football Betting Line
Additional college football coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama Tennessee Football Betting Line
Alabama football / Auburn football / Florida football / Georgia football / LSU football / Michigan football / Michigan State football / Notre Dame football / Ohio State football / Oklahoma football / Tennessee football / Texas football / USC football / Wisconsin football
Alabama at Tennesee: Three things to know
Alabama currently has the No. 2 scoring offense in all of college football, averaging just under 49 points per game. The Crimson Tide are leading the nation in yards per play at 8.26.Tennessee has won eight of its last 10 games. The Volunteers' only losses have come against Kentucky and Georgia in back-to-back weeks.Alabama has won 10 straight games against Tennessee, averaging 40.7 points per game in those meetings. The Volunteers have really struggled to score points against the Crimson Tide, averaging only 12.4 points per game in those 10 meetings.Get some action on this game or any other matchup with a legal, online bet at BetMGM in CO, IN, NJ and WV. Risk-free first bet up to $500, paid in free bets. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!
Alabama at Tennessee: Odds, prediction, betting lines and picks
Prediction
Alabama 48, Tennessee 21
Money line (ML)
Alabama is a three-touchdown favorite over Tennessee but there just isn't a lot of value on either side in this matchup. Alabama is arguably the best team in all of college football, and it would be a shock if the Tide lost this game.
The odds just aren't good enough to put any money down on the money line. PASS on this line in favor of the point spread.
Against the spread (ATS)
ALABAMA -21.5 (-106) is a huge favorite over Tennessee and frankly, it's still not enough points to consider taking the Volunteers. Alabama's offense can score at will and the Tide don't mind pouring on the points at the end of games. With their deep passing attack, points can come in a hurry and that's what makes them such a difficult team to pick against.
Take the Crimson Tide here, considering they have covered the spread in 10 of their last 14 meetings against the Volunteers.
Over/Under (O/U)
The total for this SEC matchup is set at 65.5 points, yet that somehow doesn't feel like quite enough. Alabama has scored 38, 52, 63 and 41 points this season and it feels like the offense is just starting to come together. If Tennesee can reach 20 or so points, that should allow the OVER 65.5 (-110) to hit as Alabama should score into the upper 40s with ease.
Want some action on this game? Place a legal, online bet in CO, IN, NJ and WV at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Alabama Football Gambling Line Michigan
Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Alabama Football Betting Line
Additional college football coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama Tennessee Football Betting Line
Alabama football / Auburn football / Florida football / Georgia football / LSU football / Michigan football / Michigan State football / Notre Dame football / Ohio State football / Oklahoma football / Tennessee football / Texas football / USC football / Wisconsin football
Alabama Missouri Football Betting Line
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