Georgia Bulldogs vs Alabama Crimson Tide Predictions

Weather makes the low total difficult to bet

The Associated Press reports that Georgia and Alabama are both 5-0 overall and 3-0 in SEC play. Georgia averages a national-best 51.4 points per game, while Alabama ranks third at 49.6. Those numbers make the SPF total of 51.5 look low, but they don't account for Saturday night's uncertain conditions.

The game remains scheduled despite Hurricane Isaias. The Associated Press reported that the storm could largely pass Tuscaloosa before the 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff, though the field could remain soggy. With the forecast still uncertain, neither the over at -108 nor the under at -112 offers a clear edge.

Both teams have important absences

Saturday Down South, a college football news site, reports that Georgia receivers Isiah Canion and Thomas Blackshear, running back Chauncey Bowens and offensive lineman Marcus Harrison are out. Outside linebacker Amaris Williams and defensive back Tyriq Green will also miss the game. Those losses reduce the support around quarterback Gunner Stockton and make Georgia +2.5 harder to back.

UGA Wire via Yahoo Sports reports that Alabama will be without linebackers Justin Hill, Cayden Jones and Desmond Umeozulu, defensive back Nick Sherman and defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman. Tight end Josh Ford and defensive back Jorden Edmonds are questionable. Those defensive absences give Georgia a path to score, even with its depleted offense.

Prediction

Alabama is the likelier winner at home, but its defensive absences leave too little separation to justify laying 2.5 points or paying -125 on the moneyline. Georgia's +105 price isn't attractive enough to offset its offensive losses, and the uncertain field conditions also rule out a total bet. Pass.