Betting: Will Georgia and Michigan cover on championship Saturday?
Pamela Maldonado is joined by Minty Bets to give her top picks for the SEC and Big Ten Championship games on Saturday.
Video Transcript
MINTY BETS: I'm Minty Bets, here with Pam Maldonado. And it's championship weekend in college football. Pam is here to preview two marquee games of the week. So let's start with the SEC championship game.
Number one Georgia takes on number three Alabama. The Bulldogs are 6.5-point favorites and the total is 49.5. What are your thoughts on this game, Pam?
PAM MALDONADO: Minty, I like Georgia minus 6.5 versus Alabama. I want to see Heisman favorite Bryce Young on his back on every single drive. That's the key match-up here, is the Georgia front seven versus the Alabama offensive line.
Young has been sacked 33 times this season, and though he has done a good job of protecting the ball with just four total interceptions. But against Auburn, seven sacks against him. And in that game, had just two passing touchdowns and one interception.
The Heisman favorite struggled against a 6-5 team who didn't have its starting quarterback, and struggled against a banged-up, hobbled backup quarterback, and needed a quadruple overtime to win a 24-22 as 20.5-point favorites.
Georgia's defense, sixth best in the country in generating quarterback pressure. And doesn't have just a single star player as a pass rusher, but instead has six different linebackers and defensive linemen that can attack Young. Georgia's defense has not allowed more than 17 points all season. And I predict the same to happen here in this championship game.
Alabama has struggled against a rushing offense in Florida, winning 31-29, allowing 245 rushing yards of offense, and as we know, lost to A&M. In that game, Young was sacked seven total times, one thrown interception. I also like the Alabama team total under 23.5. It is juiced at minus 145 but it is warranted.
My prediction for this game-- Georgia, 24-13 over Alabama in the SEC championship game.
MINTY BETS: Now let's close it out with the Big Ten championship game, number two Michigan versus number 13 Iowa. The Wolverines are 10.5-point favorites and the total is 43.5. What's your pick on this one?
PAM MALDONADO: I'm rolling with the favorite, Michigan minus 10.5 versus Iowa. When you have two really strong defenses, you do have to look to the offense. And the better offense is never with Iowa.
Iowa versus rushing teams, they lost to Wisconsin at 27-7. Seven points from Wisconsin did come from turnovers, however. But Iowa had three turnovers on downs, no closer than the Wisconsin 30-yard line.
The Hawkeyes did just defeat Nebraska 20-21 without its starting quarterback, who is also the team's leading rusher. So that came into play. But if you recall in that match-up, Iowa was actually down a 21-6. And a blocked punt touchdown flipped the script in that game.
Michigan, this is Harbaugh's most complete and best team that he has had in a while. You have Aidan Hutchinson, who is one of the best pass rushers in the country, two running backs in Blake Coram and Hassan Hoskins, an impenetrable offensive line, and a capable quarterback in Cade McNamara, who has just three interceptions on the season.
I love Michigan minus 10.5. And I wouldn't fault you at all if you wanted to do a Michigan plus Georgia moneyline parlay.
MINTY BETS: And to recap Pam's predictions, she has Georgia to cover and Michigan to cover. Bet $1.00 on any game and win $100 free. Sign up now at betmgm.com/yahoospecial.