Alabama vs. Georgia, Navy vs. UAB Predictions: College Football Picks, Odds

The eyes of the college football world will be on Alabama State this weekend, so it’s fitting that I have two games coming up from this football hotbed.

Here’s how I play the colossal showdown between the Dawgs and Tide and why I take a service academy seriously.

Georgia at Alabama (7:30 p.m. Eastern, ESPN)

Given the Bulldogs’ elite talent, it’s fair to say there’s something wrong with their offense.

Since the start of last season, Georgia has gotten off to a slow start six times.

In the 2023 regular season, he failed to score more than 10 first-half points against South Carolina, Auburn and Mizzou, and appeared equally sluggish in the SEC title game against Alabama.

Those sleepy starts continued into 2024, with the Bulldogs scoring just nine first-half points against Clemson and Kentucky combined.

I expect this trend to continue.

Mike Bobo’s style of play lacks a killer instinct and Georgia has few perimeter game-breakers.

This is why I support Alabama taking the lead in the locker room at halftime.

If you play a double score with Alabama leading at halftime and Georgia coming back to win the game, the payout is currently +625.

Since taking over in Athens, Kirby Smart has played against Alabama six times.

Double scores involving second-half comebacks like the one I’ve set up here have occurred on four out of six occasions.

I’m betting on another slow start from quarterback Carson Beck and Georgia, but then expect adjustments from Smart and his staff in the second half.

And considering how well the defense has played so far (No. 3 in SP+), I expect this to be a one-possession game no matter what.

An added bonus is that Smart and his staff had an extra week to tinker with the offense. So I expect a few new tricks and a trick or two should they fall behind Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Recommendation: Double score – Alabama leads at halftime, Georgia wins the game (+625, FanDuel).

Marine at UAB (Noon, ESPN)

Let’s stay in the Yellowhammer State. Navy travels to Birmingham, the “Magic City,” to take on Trent Dilfer and the Blazers.

This was an outlier for the Midshipmen last season, as they dominated UAB 31-6. It was the only time the Blazers didn’t score 20 or more points all season.

PJ Volker and his defensive staff know how to defend the short passing game that made life difficult for Jacob Zeno. I expect there will be more of the same on Saturday.

But the real reason I’m optimistic about the Midshipmen coming out as underdogs on the road is because their offense is running well.

New offensive coordinator Drew Cronic has successfully added Wing-T elements to Navy’s traditional option attack.

Betting on college football?

The results were breathtaking. The Midshipmen totaled 566 yards against Memphis last week, ending the Tigers’ CFP hopes.

Blake Horvath threw for 192 yards in this AAC contest with Memphis, helping him become the best QBR in the country. Thanks to balance in the running and passing games, Navy now leads the country in block plays of more than 30 yards from offense (three times per game).

“Navy has great team speed, not good – great,” Dilfer said this week.

That speed can be seen on film as the Mids’ backs and receivers spin out of control on the second and third levels of the defense.

The Blazers’ defensive numbers belie their problems.

They played FCS Alcorn State and Louisiana-Monroe early on, which skewed their stats.

You will find yourself in deep water against a Navy offensive that is hiring haymakers on the ground and in the air.

Recommendation: Navy -3.5 (-110, DraftKings).

Why you should trust New York Post Betting

Mike Calabrese is a handicapper for the New York Post and focuses heavily on college sports. His betting recommendations often focus on situational points, including travel, rest and altitude differences.