Alabama is the best defensive team in the country. The Crimson Tide went into their playoff bowl game against Clemson ranked No. 1 in scoring defense, total defense and run defense. They then proceeded to hold the Tigers to six points. Clemson entered that game averaging 33.3 points a game. Alabama has held nine of its 13 opponents to 10 or fewer points.

Georgia finished the regular season ranked fifth in scoring defense and sixth in total yards. The Bulldogs gave up 14 points or fewer to 10 of their 13 regular season opponents. But a wild 54-48 double overtime game against Oklahoma last week may have influenced the oddsmaker to open this total too high.

The Bulldogs are stepping way up in defensive class taking on Alabama instead of Oklahoma.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart was Nick Saban's defensive coordinator before taking over as the Bulldogs coach. He knows the Tide and should have a solid defensive game plan in place.