Nick Saban’s absence will have a definite impact with all of the on-field coaching during Saturday’s game against Georgia and Las Vegas has taken notice.
After the head coach tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday the line on the game which originally sat at -6 to -6.5 dropped down about 2.5 points per The Action Network, who also shared that it took about 10 minutes for the line to change.
If you’ve ever caught yourself wondering how much the best head coach in college football is worth to the spread, you basically got your answer Wednesday.
About 2.5 points. https://t.co/flTmSxBRYk
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) October 15, 2020
“It was just a line adjustment based on Saban likely not being able to coach,” DraftKings’ head of sportsbook Johnny Avello said. “No significant action one way or the other there.”
Touchdown Alabama’s partner, WagerTalk also reports that most sportsbooks’ lines for this Saturday’s game are between -4 and -4.5.
Saban tested positive for COVID-19 at roughly 2 p.m on Wednesday along with athletice director Greg Byrne. Both immediately left the football facilities and began to self-quarantine. The six-time national champion shared that offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian would handle all in-person duties while he coaches practices at home.
“I found out earlier this afternoon that I had tested positive for COVID-19. I immediately left work and isolated at home,” Saban said in his statement. “At this time I do not have any symptoms relative to COVID, and I have taken another PCR test to confirm my diagnosis. I informed out team of my positive test at 2 p.m. today on a Zoom call and let them know offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian will oversee preparations at the complex while I work from home.”
Alabama is scheduled to kickoff against Georgia at 7 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on CBS.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
