posted November 28, 2009 at 16:00 EST in NCAA F Free Picks
NCAA Football Betting - Georgia Bulldogs at #7 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
by Aaron Torres
Georgia Bulldogs (6-5 SU, 3-7 ATS) at No. 7 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (10-1 SU, 7-3 ATS)
Saturday, November 28: 8:00 p.m.
NCAA Football Betting Odds: Georgia Tech -8 ½
Here are some Betting Trends Which May Impact This Game:
Georgia: 2-5 ATS in their last 7 road games
Georgia: 10-3 SU in their last 13 road games
Georgia: 17-8 SU in their last 25 games
Georgia Tech: 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games
Georgia Tech: 5-0 SU in their last 5 home games
Georgia Tech: 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games against Georgia
One of college football’s oldest and fiercest rivalries will have a new chapter written Saturday night, when the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets take on the visiting Georgia Bulldogs.
It’s hard to believe, but the Bulldogs enter this game as substantial underdogs, as they’re in the midst of one of the most disappointing seasons in recent memory.
Georgia’s lack of success this season has come for simple reasons: mainly that they give up too many points, don’t score enough of their own, are careless with the ball and highly penalized.
The team’s biggest culprit, might be its leader, senior quarterback Joe Cox. Cox, who has patiently waited for his turn under center, has not had a year to remember as he’s thrown for 21 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. It doesn’t help that the Georgia running game has struggled as well, as no back has established himself and the Bulldogs are gaining just 140 yards on the ground per game.
Defensively, Georgia is ranked 75th overall in scoring defense, and 10th overall in the SEC, which is simply not good enough for a group that returned several starters and has been relatively injury free all season. They are also the most penalized team in the SEC, and ranked 116th in total penalties nationally. Looking at all these stats, there’s little wonder why the Bulldogs are 6-5 right now.
Georgia Tech on the other hand, is the exact opposite of Georgia. They are rarely penalized, control the ball (ranked first in college football in time of possession), and are effective in the running game, currently ranked second in college football.
Quarterback Josh Nesbitt leads the offensive attack, as the junior has thrown for 1400 yards, ran for another 800 and totaled 24 touchdowns on the year. Joining him in the backfield are a bevy of running backs, including juniors Jonathan Dwyer (1203 yards rushing), Anthony Allen (550 yards rushing) and sophomore Roddy Jones. The combination of all these guys will likely give Georgia’s run defense headaches all day.
What’s interesting about this matchup, is that Georgia always seems to play best when expectations are at their worst. And after losing to Kentucky on Senior Day in Athens last week, they may have officially hit rock bottom.
Either way, Georgia Tech still has to be the favorite. Right now they are the better coached and better disciplined team. Georgia may have just as much talent, but they’ve hardly played that way this year.
Take Georgia Tech, giving 8 ½ points in this week’s NCAA college football betting odds.
