It’s Alabama-Georgia week. ‘Nuff said! Alabama has won seven of the last ten meetings, with DeBoer going 2-1 and The GOAT (Saban, of course) going 5-2.
This year’s game has all the hype you could ask for. Both teams are ranked in the Top 10, but neither squad has faced especially tough opponents; Alabama’s toughest game was Mississippi State, and Georgia’s was Oklahoma.
Georgia is the best team in college football right now, in my opinion. Alabama has put away opponents but hasn’t put together a complete game on either side of the ball. But on paper, at least, the teams are evenly matched.
–Georgia is averaging 6.5 yards per rush, Alabama averaging 4.9.
–Georgia is averaging 265 passing yards per game, Alabama averaging 287.
–Both teams are averaging 50 points per game.
–Georgia is giving up 13 points per game; Alabama’s defense is giving up 20.
My take is the edge goes to UGA, but games aren’t played on paper. Besides, weather can sometimes be a factor, and in this contest it hasn’t been for a long time. But this weekend? Well…. Mother Nature is throwing a curveball, and it could be a torrential, soggy mess of a game.
Keelon Russell (photo courtesy FOX News)
If Mother Nature brings the rain, the deciding factor could be who can run the ball the best. If the forecast is correct, passing will be very difficult, kicking will be challenging, and if you can’t run the ball, you won’t win. The X factor in this game will be how well Keelon Russell can run the ball.
There’s more at stake. The team that wins has (IMO) an 80% chance to go undefeated in the regular season and be the 1-seed in the CFP. Why? Georgia’s strongest remaining opponent is Florida; Alabama’s is LSU. That could mean both teams end the regular season 11-1. Moreover, if Texas stumbles. these teams could be the CFP’s top two seeds.
There are other good games for this Saturday as well.
Red River Rivalry. On paper, Texas (-7.5) should blow Oklahoma out by at least 30 points, but rivalry games always seem to bring out the best in both teams, and this game feels closer than it should. My prediction is a Texas win, but I think this game will be closer than most think.
Photo courtesy of FBSSchedules
Sneaky Mizzou. Missouri goes up against Texas A&M. Missouri took Florida to the woodshed last week after Florida steamrolled Mississippi. The experts had Florida going into Missouri and rolling over them. Didn’t happen. Missouri did that to Florida. So, Missouri should be licking their chops with Texas A&M coming to town. Texas A&M hasn’t lived up to expectations this year, and the bookies have Missouri -3.5. That says upset alert to me, but I’ll still say Missouri wins by 10.
Could the Hoosiers Go Down on the Road? IU is a touchdown favorite at Lincoln. But my gut says go with Nebraska. One reason is that Northwestern gave Indiana all it wanted and more. But as much as my gut calls out, my head says, “Go with IU!”
Is UCLA Back? How quickly the giant fell and remained on the ground. But it’s a new day in Westwood. So, the Bruins are my upset pick vs. the Oregon Ducks — even though UO is a big favorite (-11.5). But that’s too big for me. (Remember, Oklahoma State?) My pick is for the UCLANS to go into Eugene, pull off the upset, stay undefeated, and deflate Oregon’s playoff hopes.
Enjoy the games, and Roll Tide!!! (I’m a homer.)
