SEC Title Game Free Pick
The No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide will take on the No. 4 Florida Gators for the SEC Championship Game on Saturday. The winner will head to the 2008 National Championship Game.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sports Interaction have made Florida a –10 point spread favorite. The over/under for this matchup has been set at 51.5 total points.
Key Trend: Alabama is 5-0 against the spread in its last five games and 5-0 straight up in its last five games. The Crimson Tide are also 4-1 against the spread in their last five games when playing Florida.
Key Stat: While the Gators average 237.1 rushing yards a game, the Crimson Tide defense is only surrendering 73.6 yards a game on the ground this season. Alabama is also only allowing 11.5 points per game.
Game Outlook: Oddsmakers are playing into the public’s perception that Florida is the best team in the nation, and not the 12-0 Crimson Tide. But ‘Bama didn’t go undefeated this year by accident. The Tide controls the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and has one of the best defensive front four in the nation. This game will come down to defense and although Florida has absolutely killed opponents since their only loss of the season (a late September defeat to Ole’ Miss), ‘Bama’s defense will keep this game close throughout. Another factor that plays into the Tide’s hands is that dynamic playmaker Percy Harvin is questionable for the Gators. If he can’t go, that only plays into ‘Bama’s hands because it’s one loss playmaker they have to deal with. Tim Tebow will make plays – especially around the goal line – but he won’t be able to run roughshod over a solid ‘Bama defense. Glen Coffee and John Parker Wilson should be able to generate enough offense for the Tide to keep things close, too. For a team that might win the game outright, we’ll gladly take the gift 10-points and Nick Saban’s No. 1 team.
Our Free College Football Pick for the SEC Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Florida Gators game is
Alabama Crimson Tide +10
TheSpread.com Projected Final Score
Florida Gators 24
Alabama Crimson Tide 21
We also predict that this game will GO UNDER THE TOTAL (51.5 Sports Interaction) SET BY ODDSMAKERS
Posted: 12/5/08 10:00 PM ET