As has normally been the case in the last five years when Alabama and Georgia have met, the Bulldogs are small favorites. According to FanDuel, Kirby Smart and Georgia are 1.5-point favorites for Saturday's matchup in Tuscaloosa.
That spread has already fluctuated. Georgia was sitting at around a three-point favorite prior to this weekend's results. Alabama's absolute demolition of Mississippi State in Starkville swung some money toward the Crimson Tide. At one point last night, Alabama was a 1.5-point favorite on FanDuel.
Both teams will enter this matchup at 5-0 and in excellent College Football Playoff position. This game is far from an elimination game for the playoff or SEC Championship Game, even. We saw that last season with Alabama beating Georgia in the regular season and the two meeting again in Atlanta and both making the CFP.
It's certainly possible that this is the first of two or even three meetings between the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs this season. The loser won't be eliminated, but the winner will take an even bigger leap toward Atlanta and the playoff, while making an early case as the No.1 team in the country.
Alabama has plenty of motivation ahead of Saturday night's showdown with Georgia
Last season's SEC Championship was a major impetus for the overhaul on both sides of the line of scrimmage for Alabama this offseason. The Crimson Tide was physically manhandled by Georgia in a 28-7 loss in Atlanta.
Alabama went into the Transfer Portal and flipped the roster on both the offensive and defensive lines. That has paid dividends through five weeks. The Crimson Tide is averaging a respectable 186 yards per game on the ground, up over 80 yards per game from last season.
The defensive line has controlled the line of scrimmage, getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks and giving up 78.6 yards per game on the ground, which ranks 9th in the country.
This team had a toughness issue last year. That appears to have disappeared. Georgia will be the ultimate test, though.
The Bulldogs are the most complete team the Crimson Tide will face in the regular season. They are also the toughest, both mentally and physically. It's a perfect measuring stick for whether or not Kalen DeBoer has fixed that issue for Alabama.
Alabama doesn't have to win on Saturday night to remain a contender in the SEC and National Championship race. Alabama's win in Athens last year didn't knock Georgia out of the race.
But Alabama does need to show that it can match up physically with a team like Georgia again. It was the biggest flaw of last season's team, one that turned fatal once the postseason began.
That issue appears to have been fixed, but Saturday night at Bryant-Denny Stadium will tell the tale.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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