Alabama vs. Georgia, Navy vs. UAB predictions: College football picks, odds
The eyes of the college football world will be trained on the state of Alabama this weekend, so it’s fitting that I have a pair of plays coming out of this football hotbed.Here’s how I’m playing the colossal showdown between the Dawgs and Tide and why I’m taking a service academy seriously.Given the Bulldogs’ elite talent, it’s fair to say there is something wrong with their offense.Since the beginning of last season, Georgia has been slow out of the starting blocks on six occasions.It failed to score more than 10 first-half points against South Carolina, Auburn and Mizzou during the 2023 regular season and looked equally sluggish against Alabama in the SEC title game.Those sleepy starts have persisted into 2024, with the Bulldogs scoring just nine first-half points against Clemson and Kentucky combined.I foresee this trend continuing.
Mike Bobo’s play-calling lacks a killer instinct and Georgia is light on game-breakers on the perimeter.This is why I’m backing Alabama to take a lead into the locker room at halftime.If you play a double-result, with Alabama leading at halftime and Georgia coming back to win the game, the payout is currently sitting at +625.Since taking over in Athens, Kirby Smart has faced Alabama six times.
Double-results that featured a second-half comeback, like the one I’ve built here, have materialized on four of six occasions.I’m banking on another slow start from quarterback Carson Beck and Georgia, but then expect second-half adjustments from Smart and his staff.And given how well the defense has played so far (No.
3 in SP+), I foresee this being a one-possession game either way.An added bonus is that Smart and his staff had an extra week to tinker with the offense, so I’m expecting some new wrinkles and a trick play or two should they fall behind Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium.Recommendation: Double result — Alabama leads at half, Georgia wins game (+625, FanDuel).Let’s stay in the Yellowhammer State.Navy is t...