The College Football Playoff title game is set with an all-SEC clash between the #3 Georgia Bulldogs (13-1) and the #1 Alabama Crimson Tide (13-1). These two heavyweights met in the SEC title game with the Crimson Tide knocking off Georgia, 41-24. Alabama and Georgia met in the 2018 title game as well, with the Crimson Tide pulling out a 26-23 victory in overtime.
The title game kicks off at 8 p.m. EST on Monday inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. Georgia is a 3-point favorite over Alabama, and the over-under is 52 points.
What to Know – Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama used a punishing ground game to defeat Cincinnati, 27-6, in the semifinals to return to the title game. The Crimson Tide can claim their seventh national title under head coach Nick Saban and become the first team to win back-to-back titles since Alabama accomplished the feat in 2011 and 2012.
The Crimson Tide offense averages 41.1 points and 494.6 yards per game. Alabama’s defense holds opponents to 20.2 points and 306.2 yards of offense per contest.
Alabama averaged 6.4 yards per carry and rushed for 301 yards in the semifinal victory over the Bearcats. Brian Robinson Jr. carried the ball 26 times for 204 yards, and backup Trey Sanders chipped in 67 yards rushing. Alabama’s defense sacked Cincinnati six times and held the Bearcats to just 218 yards of total offense.
Alabama is 8-6 against the spread this year with a 3-0 mark at a neutral site. The Crimson Tide are 5-1 ATS over their previous six games when playing as an underdog.
What to Know – Georgia Bulldogs
The Bulldogs rolled through the regular season with a perfect record before taking a beatdown at the hands of the Crimson Tide in the SEC title bout. Georgia played and looked like the best team all season, backed by a strong defense and efficient offense. The Bulldogs are looking for their first national title since 1980.
Georgia’s offense scored 39.0 points per game and averaged 448.4 yards of offense. The Bulldogs’ defense was one of the best in the country, surrendering 9.5 points and 253.9 yards of offense per game.
Georgia rolled up 521 yards of offense and forced three Michigan turnovers in their 34-11 beatdown in the CFP semifinal. Stetson Bennett put together his best game of the season, completing 20-of-30 passes for 313 yards and three touchdowns. Four different receivers hauled in touchdown passes for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs are 9-5 ATS this year and 3-1 ATS in neutral site contests. Georgia hasn’t beaten the Crimson Tide in their last seven tries.
The Pick is In
Two goliaths from the SEC rematch in a title game that should provide a plethora of fireworks like the 2018 title showdown. Alabama needed a win in the SEC Championship to keep their spot in the CFP, and Georgia should come better prepared for the rematch.
Still, Saban has never lost to a team in a rematch, and we feel confident in rolling with the six-time national champion and Heisman trophy winner Bryce Young over Kirby Smart and Stetson Bennett.
Betting Pick: Alabama Crimson Tide +2.5
