Alabama was a solid favorite over Georgia in Week 7 betting, even with Alabama head coach Nick Saban questionable after a positive COVID-19 test. The line fluctuated with news swirling in Tuscaloosa about whether Saban would be on the sidelines for the game between the No. 2 Crimson Tide and No. 3 Georgia on Saturday.
The line opened at six points in Alabama’s favor, then after the news of the positive COVID test, it dropped to four. It finally settled at five points at game time.
Bettors never wavered in their support of Alabama. William Hill reported that 57% of the tickets were on the Crimson Tide, along with 58% of the money.
Alabama didn’t have a sterling record against the spread when facing top-5 opponents, going 11-14. Against all other opponents, they’re 86-70 ATS.
The Crimson Tide defeated the Bulldogs, 41-24. They have not lost to an SEC East team since South Carolina in 2010.
A Week 7 Betting Disaster
Why does it always seem it’s the last game on a parlay card that ruins it? One bettor had that happen to him on a nine-team parlay at PointsBetUSA where he spent $269,000 to make $681,000.
The moneyline teams included Temple, Miami, Clemson, West Virginia, Notre Dame, Marshall, and Virginia Tech. He got Auburn and 16.5 points at -910. All of those teams won.
The gambler then had to sweat North Carolina on the moneyline to cash the last game on his card. The Tar Heels, however, lost to Florida State 31-28 to ruin his wager. There was no word from PointsBetUSA if the gambler hedged his bet.
One statistic the gambler might have considered was that UNC head coach Mack Brown was 0-9 against the Seminoles in his career.
New Trend for Clemson
For the second consecutive game, Clemson covered a point spread, after losing the first three games of the season ATS. The undefeated Tigers had lost ATS against Wake Forest (-35), The Citadel (-50), and Virginia (-28).
In the last two weeks, however, No. 1 Clemson has easily covered the spread. Two weeks ago, they were 15-point favorites against Miami and won, 42-17. On Saturday, they were 27-point favorites against Georgia Tech and crushed the Yellow Jackets, 73-7.
William Hill reported that 61% of the tickets were on Clemson, as was 71% of the money.
Thinking of betting Clemson in Week 8? They’re 45-point favorites against Syracuse.
Big Money Bets Cash
Two big bets cashed in Week 7. The first was a $60,000 wager on Temple on the moneyline. The bettor won $10,000 on odds of -600.
Another gambler at Fan Duel plunked down $60,000 and gave away 27.5 points in the Clemson-Georgia Tech game.
The biggest bet of the day was someone at Borgata placing $220,000 on the over of 48 in the Duke-NC State game. The final was 31-20 NC State.
Stat of the Week
In Alabama’s victory over Georgia, wide receivers Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith each had more than 150 receiving yards. Waddle had 161 yards, while Smith had 160 yards. It marks the first time in Alabama’s history they’ve had two receivers with more than 150 yards in the same game.
Also, quarterback Mac Jones became the first player in Alabama history to throw multiple, 90-yard touchdown passes. Jaylen Waddle’s 90-yard touchdown was his third career catch of at least 80 yards.
