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Alabama is set to be a home underdog for the first time in 17 years Saturday against Georgia

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - AUGUST 31: Head coach Kalen DeBoer and Jalen Milroe #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide talk during the second half against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on August 31, 2024 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776160807 ORIG FILE ID: 2168917038
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - AUGUST 31: Head coach Kalen DeBoer and Jalen Milroe #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide talk during the second half against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on August 31, 2024 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776160807 ORIG FILE ID: 2168917038

The marquee game of the college football slate this week is the meeting between SEC rivals Alabama and Georgia. The game will likely go a long way in determining the final end-of-season playoff rankings and may even end up as a preview of the SEC championship game.

However, while both teams are undefeated at 3-0 and No. 2 Georgia is only a couple spots ahead of No. 4 Alabama in the AP rankings, oddsmakers think the Bulldogs are good enough to be favored on the road in Tuscaloosa. And that doesn't happen often.

In fact, Alabama isn't usually an underdog anywhere. The Crimson Tide haven't been underdogs in a regular season game in 10 years, according to ESPN Bet, and it's been 17 years since they've been underdogs at home. Those streaks are at risk of ending with Georgia favored by 1.5 points as of Monday morning.

It's hard to separate this new territory for Alabama from first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer, as the last time the Tide were underdogs at home was also under a new coach: Nick Saban. According to Sportsbook Reviews archive, Alabama was a home dog in 2007 when it beat Tennessee 41-17. After that, Saban was never doubted in Tuscaloosa again.

Alabama also won its last game as a road underdog, beating none other than Georgia by a score of 38-10 on its way to the 2015 national championship.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Alabama is set to be a home underdog for the first time in 17 years Saturday against Georgia