The 2018 SEC Championship Game will be a rematch of last year’s College Football Playoff Championship. The Georgia Bulldogs will be looking for revenge when they take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in Atlanta on Saturday. These two teams gave viewers a thrilling title game a year ago, and the rematch should be just as good.
Georgia comes into this game as the fourth ranked team in the most recent College Football Playoff rankings. The Bulldogs went 11-1 during the regular season to capture their second straight SEC East crown. Alabama is the top ranked team after one of the most dominating regular seasons in recent memory. The Crimson Tide rolled to a 12-0 record with an average margin of victory of more than 35 points. Alabama is a 13.5 point favorite over Georgia on Saturday.
Tagovailoa Hopes To Repeat Success vs. Georgia
Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa burst onto the scene against Georgia in last year’s championship game and hasn’t slowed down since. Tagovailoa completed over 70 percent of his passes this season, and put up monster numbers. He threw for 3,189 yards and 36 touchdowns, while throwing just a pair of interceptions. Receivers Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III combined for 21 touchdown catches and more than 1,700 yards this season. Tua and the Alabama offense is explosive.
As long as Nick Saban is still the coach at Alabama, you can almost guarantee that the Crimson Tide will play defense. Alabama gave up just 13.8 points per game this season, and they have a unit that is filled with future pros. The Crimson Tide had one of the best rushing defense in the country this season, allowing just 114 rushing yards per game. If Alabama is able to stop the Georgia running attack, they should cruise to victory.
Bulldogs Must Run To Beat Bama
While stopping the run is the key to the Alabama success, you can guarantee that Georgia will pound the ball with their two talented running backs. D’Andre Swift and Elijah Holyfield give the Bulldogs a solid 1-2 punch in the running game, and they should see plenty of action in this game. The dynamic duo has combined for over 1,800 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns this season. If the running game can’t get going, quarterback Jake Fromm will need to have a big game against Alabama. Fromm threw for 24 touchdowns this season, and had success against the Tide a season ago.
The Georgia defense was one of the best units against the pass this season, and that could serve them well in this game. Georgia allowed just 175.1 passing yards per game, but they will face their toughest test against Tagovailoa. The Bulldogs allowed just over 17 points per game this season, but keeping Alabama under 30 might be good enough on Saturday.
Georgia Hangs Close, Alabama Wins
These are two of the best teams in the country, and this should be a terrific game. Georgia nearly beat Alabama a season ago, and they return much of the same roster. Alabama has looked unstoppable all season long, but Georgia will give them a game. Look for the Bulldogs to keep this game close, but ultimately Alabama wins by single digits. Take the points and bet the Georgia Bulldogs +13.5 against Alabama.
