Sportsbooks moving Alabama-Georgia line hours before kickoff

Georgia money has shown up hours before the College Football Playoff title game against Alabama in Indianapolis.

The line ticked up from Georgia -2½ to -3 on Monday at most Las Vegas sportsbooks, though the public is still mostly backing Alabama.

That leaves many sportsbooks offering Georgia at reduced juice, such as -3 (+100) or -3 (-105), with Alabama at +3 (-120) or +3 (-115).

BetMGM was still offering Georgia at -2½ (-115) on Monday afternoon, and Wynn Las Vegas had the Bulldogs at -2½ (-120). The Westgate Superbook had the best price on Alabama at +3 (-108), and the South Point had the Crimson Tide at +3 (-110).

The total was at 52½ everywhere except the South Point, which was at 53.

South Point sportsbook director Chris Andrews said he took money whenever he moved the line.

“They’re laying 2½ if they like Georgia and taking 3 if they like Alabama,” he said via text message.

Red Rock Resort sportsbook director Chuck Esposito said the public was still strongly behind Alabama, with coach Nick Saban 4-0 against Georgia counterpart Kirby Smart, including a 41-24 victory in this season’s Southeastern Conference title game.

“The public is viewing Alabama as tough to bet against,” Esposito said.

Esposito said substantial action was on the Alabama money line +120, so the book’s best result would be Georgia to win by one or two points.

Contact Jim Barnes at jbarnes@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0277. Follow @JimBarnesLV on Twitter.