After an amazing regular season and a great collection of bowl games, the college football season has one game left to play, and it is the biggest of them all. The National Championship Game combatants are set, and we are getting an all-SEC affair, with the Georgia Bulldogs and College Football Championship betting odds favorite Alabama Crimson Tide set to lock horns on Monday, January 8.
Our online sportsbook has already put up the early lines, but be aware that what we are about to discuss in regards those lines may change as the week progresses and we get updates on some of the injuries that players took in the semi-final games. Let’s take a look at the odds as they stand now, with a little prediction or two along the way.
Given that this game is being played in Atlanta, Georgia, this might end up feeling like a home game for the Dawgs, but that did not translate well to the spread for Georgia, as they went 3-3 ATS in their home games this season. Both defenses are excellent, so there is a very good chance that this one could say close all the way to the end.
2018 College Football Championship Betting Preview: Alabama vs. Georgia
- When: January 8
- Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
- TV: ESPN
- Radio: 95.3 FM (Alabama) / 92.5 FM (Georgia)
- Live Streaming: Watch ESPN
- College Football Championship Betting Odds: Alabama Crimson Tide -4.5 (Over/Under at 45)
Weather Forecast
- Overcast: 9°C/48°F
- Humidity: 91%
- Precipitation: 4%
- Cloud Cover: 91%
- Wind: 7 mph WSW
- Stadium Type: Retractable
Latest College Football Championship Betting Trends
- Alabama is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games
- Alabama is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Georgia
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Alabama’s last 6 games when playing Georgia
- Georgia is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
- Georgia is 14-1 SU in its last 15 games
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Georgia’s last 9 games
National Championship Game SU Odds
Given that the Alabama Crimson Tide have made it to the National Championship Game with stunning regularity during the Nick Saban ere, it’s no real surprise that they are in as the SU favorite for the big game at odds of -220. This is the first trip to the big game since 1980, and it may well be their lack of experience that has them in at starting odds of +180. There is not really a disparity in the odds here, which gives you an idea of just how closely matched these two may be. Let’s not forget that they only lost 1 game each this season, so these are two teams who know how to get the job done in clutch situations.National Championship Game ATS Odds
We already know that Alabama is in as the favorite for this game, but what has the point spread been set at? The early line has the Crimson Tide in as a 4 ½ point favorite. As good as Alabama has been this season, they have not been a great bet ATS, going 6-7 through their 13 games. On the flipside, the Georgia Bulldogs have been a very solid bet ATS, going 10-4.
Given that this game is being played in Atlanta, Georgia, this might end up feeling like a home game for the Dawgs, but that did not translate well to the spread for Georgia, as they went 3-3 ATS in their home games this season. Both defenses are excellent, so there is a very good chance that this one could say close all the way to the end.
National Championship Over/Under Odds
The College Football Championship betting line for the point total has been set at 44 ½, which may seem a little high when you consider how good these two have been on the defensive side of the football this season. That said, we can’t forget that the Georgia Bulldogs are coming off the highest-scoring Rose Bowl game in history, knocking off the Oklahoma Sooners in a 54-48 thriller. Georgia has averaged close to 39 PPG this season, and the Crimson Tide are not far off that pace, averaging 36 PPG. Combined, these two teams went 11-14 O/U on the season, but it is the defenses that could help keep the point total UNDER. Alabama is giving up just 11 PPG, while the Dawgs are surrendering 15 PPG. 5 of the last 6 times these two teams hooked up, the point total went OVER.Last 10 College Football Champs
- 2016: Clemson Tigers
- 2015: Alabama Crimson Tide
- 2014: Ohio State Buckeyes
- 2013: Florida State Seminoles
- 2012: Alabama Crimson Tide
- 2011: Alabama Crimson Tide
- 2010: Auburn Tigers
- 2009: Alabama Crimson Tide
- 2008: Florida Gators
- 2007: LSU Tigers
