Bookies need Alabama to Upset Florida in 2009 SEC Championship

2009 SEC Championship
2009 SEC Championship

College football bettors are looking forward to watching the first ranked Florida Gators take on the second ranked Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2009 SEC Championship Game in Atlanta this Saturday December 5th, 2009 at 4 PM EST. The bookies offshore and in Vegas are anxious as well with significant handle expected on the first big game of December. Both teams roll into the game undefeated with National Title aspirations on their mind. The winner gets a ticket to play in the 2010 BCS Championship Game and the loser will most likely play in the Sugar Bowl.

Pretty much every betting shop on the planet needs Nick Saban’s Alabama squad to upset Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators.

The Crimson Tide will certainly have revenge on their mind considering that the Florida Gators beat Alabama in the 2008 SEC Championship 20-31. The loss last year was the first of the season for Alabama and knocked Saban’s crew out of the BCS Championship game, which Florida went on to win. Expect Alabama to be focused on their assignments this week and fired up for this game.

With All-American DE Carlos Dunlap sitting the bench for the Florida Gators after getting arrested on suspicion of DUI this week, the Alabama defense would get the edge in my book. Since Alabama running back Mark Ingram is less than 100%, I have to give the advantage on offense to Tim Tebow and the Gators.

The opening line at Bookmaker.com had the Gators -4.5 point favorites. At the time of this post, the Alabama Crimson Tide are anywhere from +6 point underdogs at Bodog.com or +5 or +5.5 points everywhere else. The early betting action has poured in all week on Florida and that trend should continue through kickoff. I expect this to be a close game decided by a field goal or will end on a last minute winning drive by Tebow. Gators win but the value bet is on the dog that could win outright. I know the books sure hope I am correct.