Despite the fact that they won’t get the chance to defend their national title, or get a shot at a third straight SEC championship, No. 11 Alabama is still looking to finish their season strong. The Crimson Tide will try to avoid looking too far ahead on their football betting schedule with a massive showdown in their finale against No. 2 Auburn looming after this week’s match up with Georgia State.
Georgia State Panthers @ Alabama Crimson Tide
Thursday November 18, 2010
Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Online Sports Betting Odds: Alabama – 54.5
The Panthers represent an easy win for the Crimson Tide, who haven’t gotten many breaks this year with the toughest schedule in the country. Georgia State is 6-4 in the IAA Independents, and are overmatched against a powerful Alabama team that will have the chance to step out of the SEC spotlight before being thrust back in to it for their college football betting showdown with the Tigers.
NCAA Football Betting Preview: Georgia State
The Panthers are coming off of a 23-17 win over Lamar which ended a mini two-game slide that included losses at Old Dominion and South Alabama, but will have a tough time ending their season on a high note. 67-year old Bill Curry was back on the sidelines after a 14-year absence for the win, and will get the chance to close out the season against a school he helped lead to a national title in 1989. Although Georgia State is a huge underdog, Curry appreciates the experience his team will draw from playing a big school like Alabama as the Panthers build for the future.
NCAA Football Betting Preview: Alabama
After going undefeated since the 2009 Sugar Bowl, the Crimson Tide faced a couple of major obstacles this season with consecutive games against ranked opponents on multiple occasions. Alabama went 3-2 in those games, losing to South Carolina on the heels of wins over Arkansas and Florida before dropping a close decision to LSU before beating Mississippi State. Despite the tough pay per head schedule the Crimson Tide rank fourth in the country in points allowed, while Greg McElroy and reigning Heisman trophy winner Mark Ingram both played major roles in dropping the Bulldogs last weekend. Alabama has the finale against Auburn circled as their own personal championship game, and this will be considered a tune up to make sure everything is ready for the big game.
The Match Up: Georgia State @ Alabama
The Crimson Tide’s season is down to two games, including an easy win against Georgia State this Thursday before a massive SEC showdown with the Tigers next week. Alabama players and coaches know that they won’t get the chance to defend their national title, but that should only serve as motivation to finish the season strong. The line is huge for this game, but there is every reason to believe that Alabama will still cover it.
NCAA Football Betting Pick: Crimson Tide – 54.5
