Alabama vs. Georgia National Championship Game Predictions 1/8/18
Tonight Alabama will take on Georgia in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Will the Crimson Tide cover the spread as a small favorite?
The Odds: Alabama vs. Georgia, 8:00 p.m. ET, Monday
According to oddsmakers, the Crimson Tide is currently a 4-point favorite to win tonight. The Bulldogs opened as 4.5-point underdogs before the line dropped. As for the total, the number hit the board at 46, dipped to 44.5, and is now back up to 46.
Alabama is 12-1 on the year while Georgia is 13-1. From a betting standpoint, the Crimson Tide is just 6-7 against the spread while the Dawgs are an impressive 10-4 at the betting window this season.
Alabama Crimson Tide Injury Report
Offensive lineman Lester Cotton Sr. is out with a knee injury. The team will also be without linebackers Anfernee Jennings (knee, out) and, most-likely, Shaun Dion Hamilton (knee, doubtful).
Georgia Bulldogs Injury Report
Natrez Patrick (disciplinary) is questionable for Georgia and so are defensive backs Deangelo Gibbs (undisclosed) and Latavious Brini (disciplinary). Tight end Charlie Woerner is doubtful with an ankle injury.
Our Prediction
The Bulldogs were on the field for 81 snaps versus Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma a week ago. They essentially played an extra quarter because the game went into overtime. At some point, fatigue will become a factor in this game tonight. Georgia will be running on adrenaline in the first half but once that wears off, I expect this Alabama running game to wear down the Bulldogs in the second half.
Meanwhile, Jalen Hurts has taken a lot of hits for his inability to pass the ball but he can still beat teams with his legs. Georiga has a nasty defense but again, if the Dawgs wear down, Hurts can get the edge and find creases in UGA’s defense. Plus, that ‘Bama offensive line should wear down a potentially fatigued Georgia defense in the second half.
I expect this game to be like a lot of Alabama-LSU games: A physical, low-scoring slugfest that the Tide wins with great defense and a sound running game.
College Football Playoff National Championship Game: Alabama Crimson Tide -4
