By T.J. Chapman
TJ’S THREE: CFP CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Last week: 1-1 Straight Up; 0-2 ATS (Against the Spread)
Season: 28-20 Straight Up; 20-27 ATS
Georgia -v- Alabama (Indianapolis, IN) Georgia -3 per FanDuel
Georgia is 13-1 as they enter this SEC Championship game rematch. The Dawgs either took a dive or used a very vanilla scheme the last time they played Bama as the Tide curb stomped Georgia 41-24. That score was not indicative of how that game went. Alabama was in control of that game from start to finish. The SEC Championship game was the only game this season Georgia did not register a sack against an opponent. (hmmmmm) However, the Dawgs smothered Michigan last week en route to a 34-11 victory in the Orange Bowl. Senior QB Stetson Bennett threw for 313 yards and 3 TD’s while junior RB Kenny McIntosh threw a 4th TD for the Georgia offense. 4 different Bulldog receivers caught a touchdown pass while the Dawgs rushing attack waxed a vaunted Wolverine defense for 190 yards on the ground. The defense recorded 4 sacks against Michigan QB’s. (hmmmmm) Kinda makes you wonder what they were doing in the game that would have eliminated a 2nd SEC team from the playoffs…oh, nah, they wouldn’t do that, tens of millions of dollars by getting another SEC team into the playoffs couldn’t sway the Dawgs to run basic schemes on defense, could it?
Alabama is 13-1 coming off a 27-6 lambasting of Cincinnati. Nick Saban proved, YET AGAIN, that he’s smarter than everyone else when it comes to college football. He has Heisman Trophy winning QB Bryce Young and instead of loading up on the passing game, which Cincy was preparing for, the Tide came out and just bullied the Bearcats for 301 rushing yards. Senior RB Brian Robinson, Jr. led the Tide with 26 carries for 204 rushing yards. While Young only threw for 181 yards, he did throw for 3 TD’s in the game. At times Cincinnati moved the ball against the Tide defense, but the Bearcats couldn’t find the endzone. Sophomore LB Will Anderson, Jr., arguably the best player in the country, recorded 6 tackles and added 2 more sacks to bring his season total to 17.5, most in the country.
Prediction:
It’s getting to the point where I have to stop picking against Alabama. Early in the season I picked them a few times saying, “pick them until they give you a reason not to”. Well, the Texas A&M game was reason enough for me to stop. However, the SEC Championship game aside, the past few games for the Tide have been a harsh reminder that Nick Saban knows what he’s doing. Georgia better hope they have what it takes to stop the Tide. Kirby Smart is a great coach but he’s always living in the shadow of his former mentor. The Dawgs defense has been ridiculously good this season, except for that SEC Championship game. (hmmmmm) I want SO BAD for Georgia to win. Partially for my cousin who is a diehard Dawgs fan, but partially so Alabama can lose again, because it’s a rarity in the 15 seasons that Nick Saban has been their head coach. I’ve been wrong the last 3 times I’ve picked against them, so I can’t pick against them this time. Alabama: 33 Georgia: 31. Unfortunately I think Alabama will win, which obviously means they’ll cover. But I’ll be rooting like hell for Georgia to win it.