Alabama is the No. 1 team in the country and will show how dominant they are this weekend against Florida in the SEC Championship game. The Crimson Tide is favored by 17 points, and that might not be enough.
That’s why with this week’s One Bet, $100, I’m backing Alabama and giving away the 17 points. I took the Crimson Tide with the last One Bet, $100, and gave away 28 points in their road game against defending champions, LSU. Alabama had no problem defeating the Tigers, winning 55-17.
One Bet, $100
| This Week | Last Bet | Season Total |
| Alabama -17 | Won: Alabama over LSU | 3-3: Down $30 |
The Alabama-Florida game could be just as ugly. The Crimson Tide is clearly the best team in the country, and the Gators could find themselves overmatched quickly.
Alabama 8-2 Against the Spread
While Alabama has an undefeated record, they are nearly as good against the spread. The Crimson Tide is 8-2 ATS, and those two losses came in the first and third games of the season. Since failing to cover against Mississippi in Week 3, Alabama has rattled off seven straight victories ATS, and most haven’t been close. It seems oddsmakers can’t put up a number that the Crimson Tide can’t cover.
They’ve been a double-digit favorite in every game except against Georgia, and covered that spread by eight points. Covering 17 points against Florida shouldn’t be a chore for Alabama. I’m not even that concerned that the line jumped from its opening number of 14 points to 17.
Alabama ATS this Season
| Opponent | Alabama’s Winning Score | Covered By |
| Georgia | 41-24 | 11 |
| Tennessee | 48-17 | 8 |
| Mississippi State | 41-0 | 11.5 |
| Kentucky | 63-3 | 28.5 |
| Auburn | 42-13 | 5 |
| LSU | 55-17 | 9 |
| Arkansas | 52-3 | 19.5 |
Florida Still Wants CFP Spot
Florida head coach Dan Mullen told reporters he believes his team still has a chance to make the College Football Playoffs, despite losing their second game of the year last week to LSU. No team has made the CFP with two losses. Still, Mullen is undeterred in his opinion.
“We win next week, we’re SEC champs,†Mullen said. “That is all we control, and I guess that’s a good question for the committee. That’s their deal, with what’s important. But I tell you what, I’m proud of our guys of how they faced through everything, played a 10-game SEC schedule, played beat up, played short-handed a bunch of these games this year.â€
Mullen wants to fire Florida up against Alabama, and what better way to do it, then to dangle a CFP spot in front of his team. The only problem is, Alabama is too good and too strong.
Why Alabama will Win
Head coach Nick Saban has Alabama peaking at the right time. This season, the team has outscored its opponents 495-168.
Also looking at common opponents might provide a clue as to how Saturday’s game will likely go. Alabama crushed No. 5 Texas A&M 52-24. Florida played them the following week and lost, 41-38.
The Crimson Tide destroyed defending national champions LSU, 55-17. The Gators were upset last week by the Tigers, 37-34.
Saban will have his team ready to play. They should have this game under control by halftime, and have the spread covered by the start of the fourth quarter.