Sam Panayotovich

FOX Sports Betting Analyst

It’s not every day that you see perennial national title contender Alabama as an underdog on the college football field.

But it’s a Crimson Tide role will Play the mighty Georgia Bulldogs next Saturday.

Georgia started in Las Vegas as a narrow 1-point favorite and the first lead came from the Bulldogs at -3. Then resistance in Alabama brought the value down to Georgia’s current value -2, with a total of over/under 48.

Alabama hasn’t rehomed a puppy in 17 years.

“I was a lot younger back then,” Golden Nugget executive sportsbook director Tony Miller told FOX Sports. “It speaks to the dominance the Tide achieved under Nick Saban and the program he built in Tuscaloosa.”

“It’s strange to see Alabama as a home game. But the conference is full. Any of the best SEC teams can win on any given day. I think it’s going to be a real blast. Watch how it all comes down to who gets the ball last.” .”

Miller is simply excited about the strength of the SEC. Five of its six top-rated teams come from the top conference in the country. Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Texas — not in that order — are on his slate.

From now on there will be war practically every weekend.

“Look at Georgia’s upcoming roster,” Miller said. “You still have Alabama, Texas, Ole Miss and Tennessee. This is an unreal challenge against four of the best teams in the country. It doesn’t get any harder.”

“If you think about it, Alabama just doesn’t have the pressure that Georgia has right now. You are playing with house money, so to speak. The Tide aren’t the No. 1 team in the country, they’re at home, and they don’t have Nick Saban ready to attack them on the sideline at every mistake.

“I’m sure (Jalen) Milroe is a little more relaxed, too.”

A big key to Milroe’s maturity as a quarterback is Kalen DeBoer, a man who led the Washington Huskies to the National Championship Game last year and has a whopping 107-12 all-time record as a head coach.

I repeat: 107-12.

On the other side is Kirby Smart, a leader who has already won two national titles and cut his teeth under Saban. He is the architect of a defense that has allowed three points to Clemson, three points to Tennessee Tech and 12 points to Kentucky so far this season.

Saturday is essentially strength versus strength – the offensive creativity of Alabama’s balanced attack against the stingy unit that sacrifices every yard and sends championship trophies to Athens in back-to-back years.

This should lead to strong betting opinions on both sides.

“So far it’s definitely a two-way deal,” Miller reported. “But as you know, most of our money goes into college on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. We will have a much better idea of ​​what we need as we get closer to kick-off.”

Georgia vs. Alabama: Who has more pressure on Saturday?

Miller is moving forward, envisioning a world in which half of the new 12-team College Football Playoff field comes from the big, bad SEC.

And honestly, after getting past Ohio State, Oregon, Miami and the Big 12 champion, why not?

Georgia? “Yes,” Miller said.

Texas? “Yes indeed.”

Old lady? “Yes indeed.”

Alabama? “Yes indeed.”

Tennessee? “Secure.”

LSU? “I’m not so sure.”

Mizzou. “Uh… let’s say in passing.”

Not too crazy when you say it, right?

“It’s the best SEC I can ever remember.”

Sam Panayotovich is a sports betting analyst for FOX Sports and BetQL Network. He previously worked for WGN Radio, NBC Sports and VSiN. Follow him on Twitter @spshoot.

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