A Top 20 matchup is set for Saturday afternoon, as the No. 1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide visit the No. 11 ranked Florida Gators in a rematch of last year’s SEC title game. Both teams come into this game at 2-0, but each team comes into this game with some question marks. The Crimson Tide have some injury concerns, while the Gators have a quarterback quandary. Alabama is laying more than two touchdowns on the road. Let’s look at this matchup between Alabama and Florida.
Week Three college football action features a Top 20 matchup, as the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide visit the 11th-ranked Florida Gators. This game takes place at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida on Saturday, September 18, 2021. This game will be broadcast live on CBS at 3:30 p.m. ET. We’ll have college football odds available at Bookmaker.eu for this and every game this season.
College Football Betting at BookMaker.eu
Alabama Crimson Tide -15.5
Florida Gators +15.5
Total 58.5
Odds Analysis
The early line on this game had Alabama listed as a 15-point favorite and the number is up to 15.5. There has been major action on the total, as it opened up at 54.5 and is now 58.5.
Alabama Crimson Tide
The Crimson Tide come into this game at 2-0 on the season. They looked really good in an opening win over Miami, but they were unimpressive last week in a win over Mercer. Head coach Nick Saban said that outside linebacker Will Anderson is questionable for this contest. The Tide were already without starting outside linebacker Christopher Allen. If Anderson is out, it would be a major loss because Florida will be looking to run the ball. Alabama was without starting cornerbacks Josh Jobe and Jalyn Armour-Davis last week but Saban expects both to return this week.
Florida Gators
The Gators are 2-0 with wins over Florida Atlantic and South Florida. The focus with Florida is on the quarterback situation, as Emory Jones is the starter, while Anthony Richardson is the backup. The problem for the Gators is that Richardson has outplayed Jones in both games. Richardson has three touchdowns in the first two games with two TD runs of 70 yards or more.
Jones had an 80-yard TD run last week, but there is no question that Richardson is the more dynamic player. The one concern is that Richardson was seen limping after last week’s game and we don’t know if he is 100%.
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Florida Gators Prediction
The Crimson Tide have won the last seven in this series. Florida has not beaten Alabama since 2008. Florida head coach Dan Mullen has never beaten Alabama, going 0-10 including 0-1 with Florida. Last year’s SEC title game was close, but Alabama pulled out a 52-46 win. The Gators have played well at home under Mullen, going 16-3. Alabama is 4-1 ATS in their last five games as a road favorite, while Florida is 5-2 ATS in their last seven games as an underdog.
I am tempted to go with Florida plus the points in this one, but two things have me concerned. First, Mullen has yet to prove he can beat Alabama and second, I don’t know if Richardson is completely healthy and I don’t see Florida keeping this close without him making a lot of big plays.
I think the best option in this one is to simply play the game to go over the total. Florida’s defense is not going to stop Alabama’s offense and I am not that impressed with Alabama’s defense and they may be without their top defensive player on Saturday. The Tide have gone over the total in 12 of their last 15 games in the month of September. I will go over the total in this one.
BookMaker Pick: Over 58.5
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