Georgia vs. Alabama: Last minute news and notes for bettors

The 2022 CFP National Championship – pitting the Georgia Bulldogs against the Alabama Crimson Tide – is less than 24 hours from kickoff. Many have already placed their bets ahead of this rematch of the SEC Championship Game (which Alabama won 41-24), but for those who are still undecided, here is some important last-minute information regarding both programs.

Georgia Bulldogs (13-1) vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (13-1), 8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN

Alabama injuries extend beyond Metchie, but Saban is optimistic

Perhaps the most high-profile injury leading up to Monday’s season finale is Alabama’s John Metchie III’s ACL tear, which will force him to miss this all-important contest. The Crimson Tide managed to win the SEC Championship despite the talented wide-out not playing the entire second half, before silencing Cincinnati in the CFP Semifinal.

But Alabama may not have beaten Georgia a month ago if not for offensive linemen Emil Ekiyor Jr. and Chris Owens, who combined to allow no sacks to a Bulldogs defensive line that has proven unstoppable for most of the year. Both players were hurt in the Cincinnati game, but head coach Nick Saban reported on Saturday that Ekiyor and Owens were both able to practice.

Meanwhile, the Crimson Tide could have trouble at the cornerback position, as Josh Jobe is still dealing with turf toe that held him out against the Bearcats, while Jalyln Armour-Davis has a hip issue that kept him from playing his usual amount of snaps last time out. Both are considered “questionable” for the title game at best.

Georgia gets clean bill of health ahead of CFP Final

Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers has some sort of shoulder ailment, but head coach Kirby Smart has downplayed the injury in the run-up to Monday’s grudge match with Alabama, telling reporters, “[Bowers is] good. He was good in the [Orange Bowl] game. That same shoulder has bothered him all year, to be honest. It’s not like it’s something new that just came up. It bothers him from time to time at practice.”

Bowers accounted for 10 catches, 139 yards, and a touchdown in the SEC Championship Game before going for five catches, 55 yards, and a touchdown against Michigan when last seen.

Aside from Bowers, there are no significant recent injuries that Georgia is dealing with, leaving them few excuses should they come up short here.

Public prefers Alabama, sharps siding with Georgia

The betting line for the CFP National Championship has fluctuated from Georgia -2.5 to Georgia -3 since the matchup was determined late on New Year’s Eve. ESPN has reported that over 70% of the tickets written have Alabama to cover, while about 70% of the money says Georgia will cover.

Businessman Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale – who often dives into the sports betting market to hedge against promotions run by his stores – has placed three separate bets worth over $1 million on the Crimson Tide to win the game outright.