Kirby Smart brings the undefeated Georgia Bulldogs into Bryant-Denny Stadium, where they haven’t won since 2007. Georgia is riding high after a gritty one-point victory over Kentucky in their SEC opener.
Meanwhile, first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer has Alabama off to a scorching 3-0 start after stepping in for the retired Nick Saban. The Crimson Tide have been dominant on both sides of the ball, outscoring opponents 147-26.
The undefeated Georgia Bulldogs are set to face their stiffest test yet when they match up against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first top-five collision on the SEC calendar this season. Who has the advantage when these two perennial powers meet?
Our Georgia vs. Alabama prediction has those answers and more.
Georgia vs. Alabama Betting Preview
All Georgia vs. Alabama odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Friday, Sept. 27, 2024.
- Spread
Georgia -1 - Moneyline
Georgia -112, Bama -108 - 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 +1. 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.
Prediction for Georgia vs. Alabama
Prepare for a high-powered clash when Georgia and Alabama square off, as both teams boast elite quarterbacks at the helm. Carson Beck leads the Bulldogs with 680 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and no interceptions, demonstrating his precision and poise under pressure.
Across the field, Jalen Milroe has been equally effective for Alabama, accumulating 394 passing yards, five touchdowns, and zero picks. Milroe’s impact extends beyond the air, as he’s also Alabama’s top rusher with 81 yards and four rushing scores.
The Crimson Tide’s ground game is further supported by the running back tandem of Justice Haynes and Jam Miller, who have contributed four rushing touchdowns between them. Georgia counters with its own dynamic duo in Trevor Etienne and Nate Frazier, powering their rushing attack.
Both teams feature a wealth of playmakers through the air. Alabama’s freshman standout Ryan Williams has caught three touchdown passes, while Georgia’s deep receiving corps has seen six different players find the end zone this season. Expect plenty of offensive fireworks in this showdown.
This Week 5 matchup marks the first regular-season meeting between Georgia and Alabama since October 17, 2020, when the Crimson Tide cruised to a 41-24 win en route to a 13-0 season and a national title.
Alabama has taken two of the last three meetings, including last year’s SEC Championship Game, where the Tide handed Georgia its first loss of the season and eliminated them from playoff contention.
For Georgia to flip the script this time, quarterback Carson Beck needs to bounce back after a shaky performance against Kentucky, where he managed just 160 yards on 15-of-24 passing. With star offensive guard Tate Ratledge sidelined, Georgia’s offensive line must hold firm to keep Beck upright.
On defense, Georgia’s outside linebacker Jalon Walker and defensive end Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins will be critical. If the Bulldogs want to pull off a road win in Tuscaloosa, they must control the trenches and keep Jalen Milroe under constant pressure.
Containing Milroe and preventing him from making plays with his legs will be the primary focus for Georgia’s defense. His ability to protect the ball, as he did in last year’s 27-24 SEC Championship win, could once again be the deciding factor. If Milroe stays turnover-free, Alabama will be tough to beat at home, especially with their offense starting to click.
Expect this game to turn into a late defensive struggle, with both teams relying on their quarterbacks to deliver in crunch time. The absence of Ratledge will be felt, and I predict Alabama’s offense will make just enough plays at home to secure a big SEC victory.
The Prediction: Alabama 24, Georgia 20
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