Kirby Smart leads the undefeated Georgia Bulldogs into Bryant-Denny Stadium, where the Bulldogs haven’t won since 2007. Georgia comes in following a hard-fought, one-point win over Kentucky in their SEC opener.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer has Alabama off to a dominant 3-0 start in his first season after taking over for the retired Nick Saban. The Crimson Tide have been overwhelming on both sides of the ball, outscoring their opponents by a combined 147-26.
Georgia vs. Alabama Betting and DFS Preview
All Georgia vs. Alabama odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Sunday, Sept. 22.
- Spread
Georgia -2.5 - Moneyline
Georgia -135, Bama +115 - Over/Under
49.5 - Game time
7:30 p.m. ET - Location
Bryant-Denny Stadium | Tuscaloosa, Ala. - Predicted Weather at Kick
77 degrees, partly cloudy - How To Watch
ABC
Alabama opened as +4.5 home dogs, but that has come down under a field goal to +2.5. The total has also tumbled on this one, as it originally opened at 54 and has now come down to 49.5.
Georgia is 1-2 against the spread, with their only cover coming in an opening-week blowout win over Clemson. Alabama will enter 2-1 against the spread, as the only spread they haven’t covered was a 30-point spread against South Florida.
Top DFS Picks and Fantasy Plays
- QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama
- QB Carson Beck, Georgia
- RB Jam Miller, Alabama
- RB Trevor Etienne, Georgia
- RB Justice Haynes, Alabama
- RB Nate Frazier, Georgia
- WR Ryan Williams, Alabama
- WR Dominic Lovett, Georgia
- WR Germie Bernard, Alabama
- WR Arian Smith, Georgia
- WR Kobe Prentice, Alabama
- WR Dylan Bell, Georgia
Take your pick from a plethora of offensive stars in this high-powered matchup. Georgia vs. Alabama boasts one of the best QB matchups we’ll see in 2024. Carson Beck leads Georgia as he enters with 680 yards passing with seven touchdowns and no interceptions.
Jalen Milroe has been every bit as effective for the Tide. He enters with 394 passing yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions and has added another 81 rushing yards with four rushing touchdowns as he leads the Tide in that category.
Aside from Milroe, Alabama is led by running back duo Justice Haynes and Jam Miller, who have combined for four rushing touchdowns.
The Bulldogs have a dynamic running back duo, as Trevor Etienne and Nate Frazier pace the Georgia rushing attack.
Both squads feature multiple receiving stars, including Alabama’s freshman Ryan Williams, who leads all receivers in this matchup with three receiving touchdowns. The Bulldogs feature six pass catchers who have caught a touchdown pass in 2024.
Prediction for Georgia vs. Alabama
The Week 5 Georgia vs. Alabama matchup marks the first regular-season meeting between Alabama and Georgia since Oct. 17, 2020, when the Crimson Tide secured a 41-24 victory on their way to a perfect 13-0 season and a national championship.
Alabama has won two of the last three matchups with Georgia, including last year’s SEC Championship Game, where the Tide handed Georgia its first loss of the season and knocked the Dawgs out of playoff contention.
For Georgia to reverse the outcome this time, quarterback Carson Beck is the key for Georgia. Beck struggled in his last outing against Kentucky, only throwing for 160 yards on 15-of-24 passing. With star offensive guard Tate Ratledge out, Georgia’s offensive line must hold its own in the trenches and keep the pocket clean for Beck.
Outside linebacker Jalon Walker and defensive end Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins will be crucial on Georgia’s defensive side. If the Bulldogs are going to win on the road at Alabama, they’re going to have to control the trenches and keep Jalen Milroe under pressure.
For Georgia’s defense, the key will be containing Milroe and preventing him from extending plays with his feet. Milroe’s ability to protect the football, as he did in last year’s 27-24 SEC Championship Game win, will again be a critical factor. If Milroe avoids turnovers, Alabama will be tough to beat at home, especially with their offense hitting its stride.
I expect this one to turn into a late defensive battle, with each squad relying on their quarterback to make big plays late. The Ratledge injury will play a factor in this one, and I believe the Alabama offense will make just enough plays at home to pull off a massive SEC win.
The Prediction: Alabama 24 – Georgia 20
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