It IS the rivalry that consistently carries the biggest stakes, a battle between the defining team of the 2010s and the best team of the 2020s, a rematch of so many championship games and a potential shootout between the two highest-scoring teams in the nation. 

All that’s missing is Nick Saban. 

Even if another team in the SEC currently holds the No. 1 ranking in the nation, there is no bigger game in the best conference than a meeting between No. 2 Georgia (5-0) and No. 6 Alabama (5-0). 

The biggest change in the series is perception. 

Alabama is favored for the first time in the past seven meetings — following a three-point movement from the opening line — coming off a statement blowout at Mississippi State. Quarterback Keelon Russell has been magnificent in his first season as the starter, but the 19-year-old dual threat has thus far only faced a series of lackluster defenses: East Carolina (ranked 95th in points allowed), Kentucky (93rd), South Carolina (102nd), Florida State (59th) and Mississippi State (79th). 

Next comes Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs, who rank first nationally in yards allowed per play (3.89). 

Though Georgia’s quarterback, Gunner Stockton, isn’t the flavor of the month anymore, he currently has the nation’s fourth-best passer rating and is 4-2 all-time against top-10 teams after going 20-of-26 with three touchdowns in last season’s 28-7 conference title game win over Alabama. 

Georgia (+1.5) remains the team to beat in the SEC. 

Iowa (+3.5) over WASHINGTON

Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. looks less confident every week, leading a team that is 0-3 against the spread as a favorite and an offense that has averaged 21.3 points against power conference opponents. The Hawkeyes are the first elite defense that Washington will face this season, having gone 5-2-1 against the spread as an underdog since 2024. 

BYU (-10.5) over Iowa State

Kalani Sitake’s vampire Cougars are 39-4 in night games since 2019. They are also unbeaten against the spread this season and have won their past five home games against unranked power conference opponents by an average of 20 points. 

NEBRASKA (+7.5) over Indiana

It is easy to forget how close the Hoosiers’ perfect season came to crashing down. Even with a Heisman Trophy winner and a loaded supporting cast last season, Indiana trailed in the fourth quarter at four-loss Iowa and needed a last-minute touchdown on an all-time catch to win in State College against a team that didn’t finish the regular season with a winning record. The Huskers (5-0) have hope at home, facing a quarterback (Josh Hoover) who has historically struggled with turnovers on the road. 

Texas A&M (+3.5) over MISSOURI

Ole Miss earned one of its most important wins ever against Lane Kiffin and LSU. One week later, Trinidad Chambliss lost his place as the Heisman favorite in a blowout loss at Florida. One week after that, the Gators suffered their first loss of the year in a blowout to Missouri. Now, the Tigers take the torch. 

Ucf (+10.5) over OKLAHOMA STATE

The Knights’ defense travels, previously putting the team in position to steal road wins against a pair of teams that are currently ranked (Pittsburgh, Houston). Drew Mestemaker may light it up, but the Big 12’s co-leader in interceptions could find trouble against a team that is tied for fifth in the nation in picks. 

FLORIDA (-12.5) over South Carolina

It wasn’t surprising to see the Gators struggle with their first dose of rat poison. But following the wake-up call at Missouri, Florida is set to bounce back against a program in disarray, returning to the form of the team that put up more than 53 points per game in September. 

VANDERBILT (+8.5) over Ole Miss

The Commodores have been outscored by a total of just 16 points in nine games against top-15 teams since 2024. Clark Lea is 13-3-1 against the spread as an underdog in the past three seasons. 

Stanford (+38) over NOTRE DAME

It will be hard for the Irish to be laser-focused against an opponent that has been outscored 92-10 in two road games this season, especially while looking ahead to next week’s top-10 clash at BYU. 

Ucla (+11.5) over OREGON

Curt Cignetti — who went 52-9 at James Madison, then reached the playoff in his first year at Indiana — didn’t have many believers until last season’s title run. There’s still time to board the Bob Chesney bandwagon early. Cignetti’s successor at James Madison — which reached last season’s playoff under Chesney — is an improbable postseason contender in Year 1 with the unbeaten Bruins, averaging nearly 45 points per game, behind the nation’s fourth-ranked ground game. 

OKLAHOMA (+7.5) over Texas

John Mateer may go from Heisman candidacy to the bench in just over a month, committing six turnovers while failing to lead the Sooners offense to more than 17 points in any of their past three games. But Arch Manning hasn’t been that much better, leading a unit that ranks 108th in yards per play, entering a matchup against the nation’s fifth-ranked defense. 

OHIO STATE (-34.5) over Maryland

The Buckeyes have averaged nearly 55 points per game in four meetings against Mike “there is no bottom” Locksley. The next humiliation will drop the Terps to 0-40 against ranked opponents in the Big Ten. You’d have thought they’d have the money to buy out the contract of their eighth-year coach after selling their souls. 

Tennessee (-13.5) over ARKANSAS

George MacIntyre gets a soft landing in his first start under center, facing a defense that has a subpar pass rush and ranks 126th in completion percentage allowed (70 percent). The sophomore may not even be needed much, considering the Hogs have surrendered over 208 yards rushing per game against power conference opponents. 

Lsu (-8.5) over KENTUCKY

Home field couldn’t help the Wildcats avoid being outscored 32-0 in a loss to Alabama. Outside of a road loss in an emotionally charged atmosphere to a top-10 team with perhaps the best quarterback in the nation, the Tigers — currently boasting the top-ranked offense and defense in the SEC — have won four games by an average of 40 points. 

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Usc (+1.5) over PENN STATE

Iowa State East was handed the easiest schedule imaginable in Matt Campbell’s first season, but his first two games in the Big Ten have been a lesson in the jump from the Big 12. USC has struggled after traveling east — serves them right for helping destroy the Pac-12 — but Lincoln Riley has the significantly more talented team, featuring an experienced and elite quarterback (Jayden Maiava) who won’t be bothered by the Beaver Stadium “White Out.” 

Best bets: Iowa, Ohio State, Ucla 

This season: 43-32 (10-5 best bets)

Why Trust New York Post Betting

Howie Kussoy has long been the New York Post’s main handicapper in college basketball (since 2011) and college football (since 2013).