Though Oklahoma already has a slot in the College Football Playoff virtually sewn up, many believe the road for the Alabama Crimson Tide is actually easier than that of a team which doesn't have to play another game.
The Tide are favored by over two touchdowns against the seemingly broken Florida Gators in the SEC Championship Game, though in this crazy world of college football, we've seen stranger things happen than an upset like this.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Florida Gators +16
Alabama Crimson Tide -16 Over/Under 40.5
ODDS ANALYSIS
Seeing a total of just 40.5 in a championship game is borderline insane. Theoretically, we should be seeing two really good offensive teams battle it out in the SEC Championship Game, but instead, we have a Florida team which can't get out of its own way on offense. That's why this total was set at just 40.5 and dropped almost immediately to 39.5.
Alabama's team total though, isn't what's lacking. The Tide are insinuated to have a team total of 28 points or so, knowing that they're favored by 17 after opening up at -16.
WHEN THE FLORIDA GATORS HAVE THE BALL
It's ugly right now for the Gators. It's anyone's guess if Demarcus Robinson will or won't play after he was suspended for the Florida State game, but even if he does play, does it really matter? Robinson can't throw the ball to himself, and Treon Harris has proven that he isn't capable of playing quarterback at this level.
As a result, the only way live bettors can be happy about betting on a team which just scored two points against Florida State is if Kelvin Taylor gets going. It's tough sledding against that front seven of the Crimson Tide, but we've seen some have modest success in doing so. That said, it's worth remembering that Leonard Fournette's Heisman Trophy campaign died against this Alabama defense, and Taylor was quiet against FSU in spite of the fact that he had 136 yards on 24 carries. He'll have to have the best game of his career for live bettors to have any confidence in UF.
WHEN THE ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE HAVE THE BALL
Jacob Coker has officially proven that he's the real deal and that Nick Saban was crazy for benching him earlier in the year. Coker doesn't have the biggest arm, and his legs aren't the best either, but he's a gamer. He pulled that Auburn game out of the fire with a couple huge moments on what looked like busted plays.
But it's all about the hammer if you're live betting on Alabama.
Derrick Henry has already rushed the ball 295 times this season, and he's 203 yards shy of 2,000. Even a halfway decent game probably locks up the Heisman Trophy for him, especially knowing that he already has 22 touchdowns and numbers which are better than what Mark Ingram put up when he won the coveted award a few years back.
We know that Saban isn't against just giving the ball to Henry time and time again. He had 46 carries last week for 271 yards against Auburn, and he'll have to have another big game against these Gators to cover such a big number.
Do keep in mind though, that Florida defense might be the best in the nation. Dalvin Cook might've put up awesome stats, but anyone who watched that game against the Seminoles knows that he was completely bottled up for the first three quarters before the defense just got worn out.
That's what great running games do to you, though. Don't lose hope in Henry if he's only got 12 carries for 50 yards at halftime. It's all about the quantity of carries, not necessarily the yards. If he's going to get the ball 35 times in this game, Alabama is probably going to win and cover with ease.
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Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The contest between the Florida Gators and Alabama Crimson Tide will start at 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 5, 2015, at the Georgia Dome. The SEC Championship Game will be televised on CBS.
