SPORTS

ESPN's Jesse Palmer makes prediction for Alabama vs. Florida football in SEC Championship

Erik Hall
The Tuscaloosa News

ESPN "College Football Countdown" aired Friday night ahead of the Mid-American Conference Championship game. 

During the show, analysts Jesse Palmer and Joey Galloway made predictions about college football games happening Saturday. Palmer made one of his virtual locks the 2020 Southeastern Conference game between the No. 1-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide and No. 11 Florida Gators. 

The SEC Championship game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday. 

Palmer played quarterback for the Florida Gators from 1997-2000 before a five-year NFL career. He joined ESPN in 2007. 

As of Friday, the Alabama Crimson Tide are a 17.5-point favorite against the UF Gators, according to BetMGM.

ESPN's Jesse Palmer picks Alabama, UF Gators football 

Sep 22, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; ESPN commentator Jesse Palmer looks on from the field before a game between the Clemson Tigers and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

"I got nothing but love for the Gators — best memories of my life," Palmer said. "But I've a fiduciary responsibility to make you people at home money, so I'm taking Bama." 

Palmer then started talking about how the Alabama Crimson Tide have what he described as a "three-headed monster" in quarterback Mac Jones, running back Najee Harris, and wide receiver DeVonta Smith.

"Mac Jones leads the nation in QBR, Najee Harris leads the nation in rushing touchdowns, and DeVonta Smith leads the country in receiving yards," Palmer said. "I just don't think Florida's defense is going to be able to stop them. The Gators will fight, they'll play hard, they're going to score — just not enough. Bama is going to cover." 

"Man that is cold, but I like it," Joey Galloway responded.

Read more Alabama football news: 

The Alabama Crimson Tide football team is coached by Nick Saban. The Florida Gators football team is coached by Dan Mullen.

Erik Hall is the lead digital producer for sports with the USA Today Network. You can find him on Twitter @HallErik

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