Alabama vs. Florida 2021 College Football Week 3 Odds and Pick

By Carlos Chacon • September 16, 2021

The marquee game around college football on Saturday is to no surprise from the SEC as No. 1 Alabama visits No. 11 Florida. The Gators are 15-point underdogs – they haven’t been that big of dogs at home since 2013 against Florida State. It’s Alabama’s first visit to Gainesville since 2011.

These schools played in the 2020 SEC Championship Game and could certainly play in it again this year. The Tide won that matchup 52-46 on the way to a perfect season and national title – although Florida was the only team able to stay within single digits all season.

With that, NitroBetting steers you in the right direction through this Alabama vs. Florida preview. Not only do we provide you important information, but we also make sure that you lock in on the best picks. Here, you will find essential event details, key team and player statistics, the latest NFL betting odds, betting trends, and expert betting predictions. Check the out latest 2021 College Football odds at out online Bitcoin sportsbook.

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Florida Gators Game Information

When: Saturday, September 18, 2021, 10:30 PM ET
Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
TV: CBS
Radio: Tide 100.9 FM (Alabama) / ESPN 98.1 FM (Florida)
Live Stream: CBS Sports Live
College Football Odds: Alabama Crimson Tide (-14.5) / Florida Gators (+14.5)

Why Bet on the Alabama Crimson Tide?

Najee Harris, voted the game’s Most Valuable Player, tied his career best with five touchdowns – three receiving and two rushing – and totaled 245 all-purpose yards, including 178 rushing and 67 receiving. DeVonta Smith also tallied 200-plus all-purpose yards with 184 receiving yards on a career-best and SEC Championship Game record 15 catches, two of which went for touchdowns, as well as a combined 24 return yards.

Alabama racked up 605 yards of total offense on the night with Mac Jones completing 33 of his 43 passing attempts for 418 yards and five total touchdowns. The Tide had six first-half possessions and scored touchdowns on five of them. Of course, Harris, Smith and Jones were all 2021 NFL first-round picks. Gators QB Kyle Trask passed for 408 yards and three touchdowns, plus rushed for a score, but his offense (462 yards, only 54 on the ground) just could not keep pace with the Tide. Trask is also now in the NFL.

The Tide lead the all-time series 27-14 and have won the past seven. Bama has played 13 games in total in Gainesville, boasting an 11-2 record in The Swamp. UA’s two losses on the road came on Sept. 14, 1991 (0-35) and Sept. 30, 2006 (13-28).

Alabama warmed up for this game by blowing out Mercer last week 48-14. QB Bryce Young, the Heisman Trophy betting favorite, had three more TD passes and is the first Bama player to total seven TD passes in his first two career starts. Alabama is the current FBS leader for scoring at least 30 points in consecutive games with 28. The NCAA record is 31.

Why Bet on the Florida Gators?

Florida beat South Florida 42-20 last week. UF coach Dan Mullen celebrated his 100th career coaching win by producing the most total yards (666) in a single game during his UF tenure. It marked Devonta Florida’s fourth game with 600+ yards under Mullen and third such game since the start of the 2020 season. Florida’s 763 rushing yards through two weeks represents its most through two games to open a season dating back to at least 1996. It’s the first time Florida has opened a season with back-to-back 300-yard rushing games dating back to at least 1996.

While Alabama will only play Bryce Young at QB barring injury, Florida uses both Emory Harris and freshman Anthony Richardson. Richardson has played well as a backup this season, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for two more scores, prompting questions as to whether he should start ahead of Jones. However, Jones will start again despite throwing two picks in each of the first two games.

Alabama coach Nick Saban said that he doesn’t have to prepare differently for Richardson or Jones because they’re similar style quarterbacks — passers who are skilled runners. Saban has a 61-16 (.792) mark in SEC road games across his time at LSU and Alabama, including a 49-8 (.860) record with the Crimson Tide. Saban is 13-1 (.929) in SEC road openers since he arrived in 2007, with the lone loss coming at Ole Miss in 2014. The Gators are 4-5 against AP top-10 teams under Mullen.

Alabama vs. Florida Betting Trends

Crimson Tide are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
Crimson Tide are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games as a favorite.
Crimson Tide are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games in September.
Gators are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games as an underdog.
Gators are 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a ATS loss.
Gators are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 conference games.

Alabama vs. Florida Expert Betting Predictions

Pick: Alabama 36, Florida 23

Check out our latest sports betting guides for the 2021 College Football season. Stay tuned for more Football previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest Football betting odds at our online Bitcoin sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.