Oddsmaker: Georgia would be 10.5-point underdogs to LSU

Les Miles.

Les Miles' team is ranked No. 1 by the BCS.

Mark Richt.

Mark Richt's Dogs have won eight straight.

As Georgia fans begin to allow themselves to dream the impossible dream — beating LSU in the SEC championship game — here’s a clue about how big of an underdog the Bulldogs would be that week.

Todd Fuhrman, the senior race and sports analyst for Caesars Entertainment in Las Vegas, said Monday that he projects LSU to be a 10½-point favorite over Georgia at the SEC title game at the Georgia Dome on Dec. 3. That assumes the Dogs win their final two games against Kentucky (which would clinch the SEC East) and Georgia Tech (road), and LSU defeats Mississippi (road) and Arkansas (home).

Fuhrman, reached by phone on Monday, said the point spread will be about 10½ “unless something unexpected happens, like LSU struggles against Arkansas. The [SEC title] game is going to be played in the Georgia Dome, but in championship games there’s not a real home field advantage.”

Georgia fans might perceive the projected line as a lack of respect for a team that will have won 10 straight. But Fuhrman said, “A couple of weeks ago I think most of us would’ve said LSU would be close to a two-touchdown favorite. But their offense has struggled some the last couple of weeks and Georgia’s defense is playing well, especially against the run, like they showed in the Auburn game. If LSU can’t run, they’re going to have problems.”

Fuhrman also said that the play of quarterback Aaron Murray and the receivers around him give Georgia “a puncher’s chance” in that game.

The projected 10½-point spread seems right to me. Do you agree, or is Georgia being short-changed?

By Jeff Schultz

Follow me on Twitter (@JeffSchultzAJC). Friend me on Facebook (Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC).

391 comments Add your comment

Bulldawg Charlie

November 14th, 2011
2:56 pm

10.5 points is about right for LSU.

Does anyone else think it’s hilarious that Techies like to talk smack about Georgia? They win once a decade and think they can say anything? Unbelievable.

ARdawg

November 14th, 2011
2:57 pm

McDawg
There will only be one SEC team in the Sugar bowl

LHarding Dawg

November 14th, 2011
2:57 pm

Just remember that Vegas had Georgia by 12 over Auburn and we beat them by 38. Maybe thay don’t know.

McDawg

November 14th, 2011
2:57 pm

thing about Tech you need to be careful of the chop blocks

flagboy?

November 14th, 2011
2:58 pm

Shaping up to be a heckuva sports year. . . UGA looks like they’ll make the SEC championship, where at least we have a chance of winning it (we should be underdogs to LSU. . .they have to still get there though).

And. .AND. . it looks like the NBA will be locked out the entire year.

A great sports year so far.

McDawg

November 14th, 2011
2:58 pm

right only 2 teams per conference

Spaceman Spiff

November 14th, 2011
2:59 pm

@ GTBob

Why are you so concerned with UGA? Your tag implies you are a tech fan, so why do you spend so much worrying about what UGA does? And we all know what UGA does to tech…

Joey

November 14th, 2011
2:59 pm

Chavis has shut down Bobo/Richt before. But Les hasn’t faced Grantham yet.

I think it would be a really tight game.

Oooltewah Dawg

November 14th, 2011
3:00 pm

What’s the point of this article? Who cares about the point spread of a possible future game. What a lame article and a waste of space.

McDawg

November 14th, 2011
3:00 pm

how was A. murray NOT the SEC Offensive Player of the week

ARdawg

November 14th, 2011
3:01 pm

Spaceman

GT Troll’s hatred of Georgia is greater than his love of GT

kb

November 14th, 2011
3:03 pm

Clemson is overrated doubt they finish in top 10, Georgia will be heavy favorites over tech,somewhere between 8.5 and 10.5 (assuming they both win Saturday)

GTBob

November 14th, 2011
3:03 pm

I’ll take your bet. Give me Georgia and 21. It’s a deal.

Why would I do that when Vegas will give me 10.5? I’ll take the easier money.

Spaceman Spiff

November 14th, 2011
3:04 pm

@ ARdawg

I agree…I guess I would feel the same way at being UGA whipping boy for so long…

ole richie

November 14th, 2011
3:04 pm

The one thing the UGAs defense does well enough to win them the Tech game and the SEC championship is set the edge on running plays. One of the best I’ve seen at forcing runs back inside. History has shown that if UGA could stuff the run against LSU, Lee and Jefferson are prone to make mistakes down field, where UGA has defensive backs with exceptional ball skills.

BurytheBone

November 14th, 2011
3:04 pm

LSU fans didn;t think we had a chance the last time we played them either. Who cares. Just strap on those red hats and let the hair go with the hide. It’s amazing that some tech fans can even get dressed

flagboy?

November 14th, 2011
3:06 pm

GTBob

November 14th, 2011
3:03 pm
I’ll take your bet. Give me Georgia and 21. It’s a deal.

Why would I do that when Vegas will give me 10.5? I’ll take the easier money.
______________________________________

Ah. . i see. you were just talking. You seem to know more about it than the folks out in Vegas though since you’re predicting 3 TD’s. . . . so, money and mouth. . . how ’bout it?

DawgFan

November 14th, 2011
3:06 pm

Don’t take my word for it ask the Auburn QB. He says UGA vs LSU will be one heck of a game. Dawgs can do it!

GTBob

November 14th, 2011
3:06 pm

how was A. murray NOT the SEC Offensive Player of the week

Because they played Auburn.

Spaceman Spiff

November 14th, 2011
3:08 pm

@ flagboy?

GTbob, like all technerd trolls on here, are just all mouth…what is funny is that since they can’t win on the field, they start trying to talk academics – if that is the point, then why do they even play in the same league? Or even play at all?

Bogey

November 14th, 2011
3:10 pm

Calm down, Destin Dawg. We’ve won 2 of 3 against that offense but they have put up over 400 yards every time. We won becasue they could not stop us but we haven’t stopped them either.

GTbob

November 14th, 2011
3:10 pm

Nobody can beat us…we just gave the game away to VT…VA…

Spaceman Spiff

November 14th, 2011
3:12 pm

@ Bogey

Maybe so, but entirely different defense this year than those…

flagboy?

November 14th, 2011
3:12 pm

Spiff, it’s understood. I normally don’t have an issue with the tech folks except when they start with “i’m your boss” crap or whatever. I’ll talk football with anyone.

LSU and UGA both have to make it to the SECCG first. . .if we do find a way to lose to Kentucky. .well. . .i wouldn’t have any words for it. Arkansas has a legit shot I think. They’ll be underdogs, but they throw the ball around really well.

GTBob

November 14th, 2011
3:15 pm

flagboy, I never said I would bet on a 21 point spread, I said I think LSU would win by 21. There is a difference, and i’m certainly not dumb enough to bet a 21 point spread when I can easily get a 10.5 point spread. Why would I voluntarily choose to take worse odds?

ARdawg

November 14th, 2011
3:16 pm

Auburn would spank GT 6 ways to Sunday if they played today.

dawgs4life

November 14th, 2011
3:16 pm

I agree with destin dawg. Let’s take care of business first before we start that talk about LSU and the SEC Championship. Regardless of how bad Kentucky may seem or play this year they are good when they are the spoiler of a game. GA Tech well that’s GA Tech talk trash threw out the year and during the off season and don’t ever show up for the game. Looking forward to a great game but in the end and when all the dust has settled the dawgs should be standing victors.

ole richie

November 14th, 2011
3:16 pm

For tech it seems that they only loose when Tevin Washington plays poorly. At least that was the case against VA

Spaceman Spiff

November 14th, 2011
3:17 pm

@ flagboy?

I also think Arkansas has a legit shot – providing their running game is strong. They can throw the ball around – look at out West Virginia played against LSU. That is one reason why I say we have a shot (a much better shot than GT could ever hope to have) – and our D is far better than anyone outside of ‘Bama that LSU has faced…

G

November 14th, 2011
3:17 pm

I didn’t realize the outcome of the game was determined by a point spread. Why does it matter what the spread is?

ARdawg

November 14th, 2011
3:18 pm

Arkansas beating LSU is nothing but hype designed to make you believe Arkansas has a chance. They do not. LSU will beat Arkansas relatively soundly.

flagboy?

November 14th, 2011
3:19 pm

Bob, you said, “I can’t see LSU winning by less then three touchdowns even with their weak offense.”

So, i’m willing to bet what you said there is incorrect. Are you willing to bet that what you said is correct?

If so, I’ll happily take UGA and 21. Then again, maybe you’ve rethought your comment. Fair enough.

BurytheBone

November 14th, 2011
3:19 pm

LSU allowed 533 total yards agaisnt WVU. 463 passing. If our oline takes care of AM, Then the 10.5 points will be safe money. As far as the defense goes we can play with anyone in the country right now.

BILLY JACK

November 14th, 2011
3:19 pm

Keep talking GTBob the Thanksgiving Day Massacare is almost here.

Spaceman Spiff

November 14th, 2011
3:21 pm

@ ARdawg

You are probably right. A strong running game combined w/ Arky’s passing can give LSU fits… I see Arky having a chance, but not winning…

westcoastDawg

November 14th, 2011
3:21 pm

To the Tiger talking about Georgia fans leaving earlier, how about half of Jordan-Hare leaving and missing the comeback against Utah State? Pot, meet Kettle. Go Dawgs!!

jarvis

November 14th, 2011
3:22 pm

Isn’t 10.5 “close to a two-touchdown favorite”?

TampaGator

November 14th, 2011
3:23 pm

Bronco……

That better coach at Vandy lost to the horrible coach at Florida. And the horrible coach at Florida almost coached his battered and undrmanned Gator team to a victory over your Dawgs and SC this year. Yep….horrible coach. Only a 4 point loss to your best team in 30 years…..with the worst Gator team in 30 years. I can’t imagine what he is going to do when all his freshmen and sophs grow up and he adds all those 5-star recruits this year. Gosh……just can’t imagine.

1eyedJack

November 14th, 2011
3:23 pm

Soooooo…you’re telling me there’s a chance?

Spaceman Spiff

November 14th, 2011
3:23 pm

@ BurytheBone

Had ‘Bama not been pretty much a one-dimensional team, the outcome could very well have been different. Am not saying that LSU is bad, but they are beatable…

Spaceman Spiff

November 14th, 2011
3:25 pm

@ Tampa

That’s about as weak as the crap GTBob spews on a daily basis…

GTBob

November 14th, 2011
3:25 pm

Auburn would spank GT 6 ways to Sunday if they played today.

You should ask Dabo Sweeney if he agrees.

BILLY JACK

November 14th, 2011
3:25 pm

I think that line is probably right but we play LSU very good in the Mark Richt era.I think it will be a very competitive game.

GTBob

November 14th, 2011
3:27 pm

We GT fans can talk because the ACC is better than the SEC!

flagboy?

November 14th, 2011
3:27 pm

1eyedJack
November 14th, 2011
3:23 pm
Soooooo…you’re telling me there’s a chance?
____________________________________

hahaha. great line, great movie.

jarvis

November 14th, 2011
3:27 pm

Boise State beat Georgia.
TCU beat Boise State.
SMU beat TCU.

So obviously SMU would beat Georgia.

GTBob

November 14th, 2011
3:27 pm

And we are better in the classroom!

DiggerDawg

November 14th, 2011
3:28 pm

“Auburn would spank GT 6 ways to Sunday if they played today.

You should ask Dabo Sweeney if he agrees.”

I just asked Beamer, and he agreed.

gbal

November 14th, 2011
3:29 pm

Anything can happen…

AU BEATS SC
SC BEATS UGA
UGA BEATS AU…LIKE A DRUM
LSU BEATS AU … BOUT THE SAME SCORE AS UGA HANDLES AU..

IT WILL NOT BE A SUPRISE TO ME IF UGA HANGS WITH LSU OR BEATS THEM…

UGA HA A LIGIT D AND THE O SEEMS TO BE HOTTER THAN BAMMA TO ME AT THIS POINT.

YES IT WILL BE CONSIDERED AN UPSET… THOSE (UPSETS) ARE IN LAGRE PART DETERMINED BY MEDIA HYPE THRU THE SEASON AND LSU AND BAMA HAVE GOTTEN A LOT OF LOVE ALL YEAR.

YES A UGA WIN WOULD BE CONSIDERED AN UPSET …. A SHOCKER??? NOT!

BILLY JACK

November 14th, 2011
3:30 pm

GTBob you need to get back to your tech website-its the one with the tumbleweeds going across the screen.Annual beatdown Nov 26th. .