CFB Playoff First Round Parlay: Bama faces another revenge setting

Losing to Alabama in the regular season brought out the best in Georgia, who had fire in their bellies, winning the SEC Championship Game 28-7. If there was one game that stung Alabama during the regular season, it came in mid-November when the Tide snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, losing 23-21 to Oklahoma at home despite dominating an ineffective Sooners offense (406-212 advantage in total yards).

YouBet.com will include the match-up between Alabama and Oklahoma in the following CFB Playoff First Round Parlay, all lines courtesy of BetMGM, and times listed as Eastern Standard Time.

CFB Playoff First Round Parlay (+581): Alabama -1 – Texas A&M -3 – Under 56.5 (Tulane-Ole Miss)

Alabama at Oklahoma, Friday, 8 p.m.

Ty Simpson got banged up against Auburn, and it carried over to the SEC Championship, but he’s had the opportunity to regroup and focus on the limited Sooners, who must rely on defense and ground game because of John Mateer’s ineffectiveness. No quarterback has struggled more in recent weeks. And after blowing a winnable game vs. the Sooners late in the season, the Tide will have an edge for revenge and a game plan to exploit the quarterback advantage.

Pick: Alabama -1

Miami at Texas A&M, Saturday, 12 p.m.

Public overwhelmingly on Miami, quoting run defense statistics for the Canes vs run-heavy A&M, but perfect “zig-when-they-zag” spot with a superior team. Marcel Reed, one of college football’s most explosive quarterbacks when he's on his game, will be primed for his best following the Texas clunker. After facing Notre Dame in the opener, the Hurricanes struggled to contain other versatile opponents on the schedule, being outgained 119-63 in rushing yards by Louisville and surrendering 365 passing yards to SMU. The Aggies are more versatile than public perception, ranking 27th nationally in passing offense (264.8 passing yards per game). Aggies tested, winning 41-40 at Notre Dame as Reed passed for 360 yards, and will score points in bunches. Carson Beck doesn’t want to get into an up-and-down game, but it’s an inevitability.

Pick: Texas A&M -3

Tulane at Ole Miss, Saturday, 3:30 p.m.

The Rebels’ offense is expected to feel the hangover effect from Lane Kiffin’s departure, but their defense will be motivated to back Pete Golding, who will take over coaching duties after serving as defensive coordinator. These teams met in September (Ole Miss won 45-10), and Green Wave quarterback Jake Retzlaff completed only 5 of 17 passes for 56 yards. Look for Tulane to lean upon their competent rushing attack and to put up a better defensive fight after allowing Ole Miss to convert 64% of their third-down attempts. Rebels will be glad to get this game behind them, even if they win ugly.

Pick: Under 56.5