Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Georgia Bulldogs Betting Odds, Analysis, Football Pick

The last time Alabama went off as an underdog on the betting line, it upset Tim Tebow and Florida in the SEC Championship Game in 2009. But the Crimson Tide might go off as underdogs this week, as they are visiting Athens for the first time since 2008 to take on Georgia between the hedges Saturday afternoon.

Point spread: This game opened as a pick 'em, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (line updates and matchup report).

College football pick, via Odds Shark computer: 23.1-19.7 Bulldogs

Why the Alabama Crimson Tide can cover the spread

Alabama bounced back from that SEC-opening loss at Ole Miss to blank Louisiana-Monroe last week 34-0. The Tide didn't do a whole lot offensively on the day, gaining a total of 303 yards, but the defense limited the Warhawks to 92 yards, just nine of those on the ground.

Alabama came up one score short of covering the spread as a 37-point favorite, but as it's done many times before under head coach Nick Saban against inferior opponents, it didn't really appear interested in covering.

The Tide opened this season with that 35-17 drubbing of Wisconsin, easily covering at minus-13, and then defeated Middle Tennessee 37-10, just missing the cover at minus-34. They then lost to the Rebels 43-37 even though they outgained and outrushed Ole Miss that day. Five turnovers did them in.

Alabama is a national championship contender but can't afford another conference loss. So the Tide will throw everything they've got at the Bulldogs on Saturday.

Why the Georgia Bulldogs can cover the spread

The Bulldogs are off to a 4-0 start to this season after dispatching Southern last week 48-6. UGA, as a 48-point favorite, led by that score after three quarters and then called the 'Dawgs off, eschewing the cover. Georgia outgained the Jaguars 532-184, as Nick Chubb chugged for 131 yards on the ground and quarterbacks Greyson Lambert and Brice Ramsey combined to complete 20 of 24 passes for 271 yards and two scores without a pick.

The Bulldogs are also already 2-0 in SEC play, with a 31-14 victory over Vanderbilt, just missing the cover at minus-18, and a 52-20 rout of South Carolina, easily covering at minus-16.

Georgia gets 'Bama at home for the first time since 2008 and, with a division title in mind, will want to make the most of that opportunity.

Smart pick

Short point spreads don't usually come into play, but these two teams are close, and this game could be decided by a point or two. So while Georgia is sure to be fired up for this one, the smart money probably rolls with the Tide.

Betting trends

The total has gone over in Alabama's last five games against Georgia.

Alabama is 0-3 against the spread in its last three games on the road in October.

Georgia is 11-1 straight up in its last 12 games at home.

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark, all quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and get the free odds tracker app.