Georgia opens as 5.5-point favorites over Tech (surprised?)
Mark Richt got the obligatory Gatorade shower after clinching the SEC East. (AP photo)
Paul Johnson's team is 8-3 but had some hiccups at Duke. (Johnny Crawford/AJC)
Welcome to Georgia-Georgia Tech week. Is it just me or does the point spread seem a little thin?
Most sports books have installed Georgia as a 5½-point favorite. Granted, the game will be played at Tech — home field is worth three points in wagering circles — and this is a rivalry game, which generally screams, “Beware!”
There’s also the uncertain status of Georgia running backs (either because of injury or immaturity).
But the Bulldogs (9-2) have won nine straight and secured a spot in the SEC championship game. The Jackets (8-3 after a 6-0 start) have had a better season than expected, but they just allowed 31 points to Duke in a 38-31 win (the Blue Devils entered the game ranked 99th nationally in scoring offense at 21.8 points per game).
Georgia is ranked 13th in the BCS and the Associated Press. Tech is 23rd and 25th, respectively. I would’ve thought given the way perceptions tilt, the line would open at 10 points or higher.
I’ll have more looking ahead to the game in the next few days, but I figured this would be a good place to start the banter.
By Jeff Schultz
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819 comments Add your comment
DesignerJacket
November 21st, 2011
12:37 pm
I’m actually quite happy Tech is coming into this game as an under[jacket]. They already have the tradition of hatred, the napoleon-complex, the 2-game losing streak, and the lopsided series record working to put the fire in their preparation for this game. Now they have the season-making nature of it and also the “nobody believes you can win this one” mentality to add to it all. I hope the spread moves up to fourteen by week’s end and all the sportswriters are piling on GT. There’s a very large bulletin board in our new football facilities. CPJ uses it quite well.
A Toss up
November 21st, 2011
12:38 pm
Dawgs aren’t good….they are average.
Tech is extremely young…won more this year than they should have, likely a trend to continue.
Dawgs need discipline to play Tech and win.
Tech needs to play the option to perfection, stuff the run, and get to the Georgia QB
Not sure which is harder
GT78
November 21st, 2011
12:39 pm
As as Tech fan, I am surprised the line isnt larger. Although, UGAg may be looking ahead to the SEC CHampionship, which could play in Tech’s favor.
But since Tech can’t throw, can’t catch, can’t kick and sure as hell can’t play defense….going to be a long day for my Jackets.
SEC fans have no accomplishments of their own, and live vicariously through the exploits of others
November 21st, 2011
12:39 pm
“Florida struggled with Furman but had no problem with Kentucky.”
GtBob, Obviously Florida didn’t show up for the Furman game. Why, everybody knows that if they had come to play, they would have won by at least 70. After all, they have that “SEC speed”, which no other player in any other conference has.
And on the top of that, the refs, of couse, tried to give the game away. Not to mention that Florida was mentally unprepared for the game – all the could think about was running through that SEC gauntlet. How could they possibly be into this game when they have to play the likes of Ole Miss, Vandy, and Kentucky week after trying week?
Just check out the NFL – it is stocked with probably 98% SEC players. Certainly all the best ones are. Aaron Rodgers? SEC, of couse.
Adrian Petersen? SEC. Tom Brady? SEC.
At least I think they are all from the SEC. If they are not, it is only because the owners conspired to get players from different(inferior) areas of the country to expand the TV markets. That is the only possible reason to draft a player from a non-SEC conference.
collegeballfan
November 21st, 2011
12:41 pm
I am not a betting man. But I believe Georgia can name the score. Say like the 2002 51-7 Georgia win.
aarh
November 21st, 2011
12:41 pm
I know UGA struggled last weekend, but it seems like they tend to do that against lesser competition. They normally seem to play better against better teams. I know Tech is better than KY, & I do think they’re a dangerous team, but UGA normally seems to play good against Tech for the most part. It’s kind of hard to get up for KY…I guess, rather than someone like Tech.
Sam Robards, Dawg Fan
November 21st, 2011
12:41 pm
Honestly, the line sounds about right. Our offense didn’t play so hot against UK, and that’s reflected here.
However, I think defense is where this game is decided, and UGA’s got a heck of a squad while Tech … doesn’t.
Don’t get me wrong, when Tech’s offense is working, it’s hard to stop. I just don’t think they’ll be able to get it started against this D. Unlike Alabama, who got handled a little bit by Southern’s triple option (they obviously adjusted), this team and coaching staff have faced it before and can see how to stop it (UVA and Miami).
That said, I still think it’s gonna be a good game. But the Dawgs take over after halftime and shut it down. Dawgs by 10!
Go Dawgs!
john
November 21st, 2011
12:41 pm
@Greg like you said, they FELL ASLEEP AFTER LEADING BY 16 AT HALFTIME. If I had to bet I would probably take UGA, but this is going to be a close game. I really think that anybody who thinks either team is going to win in a blowout is delusional.
Dave
November 21st, 2011
12:43 pm
You canNOT judge teams by comparing who they play. Every game is different and different teams get more or less motivated each week. By that standard, SC beat UGA 45-42, Auburn beat SC something like 16-10, UGA beat Auburn 45-7. Go figure. It’s different each week, no matter who you play and where. On paper, UGA throttles Ga. Tech and pounds them to dust. But you play on the field and this weekend will be different han last weekend. I’m nervous every game UGA plays because I don’t know which team will show up.
john
November 21st, 2011
12:45 pm
I agree Dave, thats how it would look on paper but you never know. Both teams are insanely inconsistent.
aarh
November 21st, 2011
12:46 pm
GTBob- AU has a winning record. I’ll admit I know AU doesn’t look great this yr, but UGA did beat a ranked AU team, & not only beat them, but did it 45-7, which was even worse than LSU did. LSU was the only other team that came close to beating them as bad as UGA did. I thought it was impressive when GT beat Clemson, but it doesn’t look as impressive now that NC State blew them out. GT is dangerous though. Don’t get me wrong.
Columbus Dawg
November 21st, 2011
12:46 pm
If the University of Alabama football team is allowed to play in BCS Title Game, there should be lawsuits filed by any and all schools who have to play conference championship games. These crooks running college ball are as shady as the ones who were running professional boxing when Ali was around. The VERY reason that it was said that UGA could not participate in BCS Title game in 2007 was just that; did not win it’s division or conference. The pos talking heads at ESPN have been given to much power over the sport. They all need to quit sucking Saban’s ……
ARdawg
November 21st, 2011
12:47 pm
GT Bob
Does your constant whining ever cease? No offense in the SEC? Get your head out of your anus
Dawg Fud
November 21st, 2011
12:48 pm
Rivalry game. I would say the spread is 2.5. Tech is a tough, well-coached team and will be ready to play.
Hope we are, too.
aarh
November 21st, 2011
12:49 pm
John- UGA has been inconsistent in some areas, but they win their games when some facet of their game is off, & the defense has been very consistent. GT looks great one wk., but then another wk .they look like a totally different team, & they’ve lost a some games when it was thought that they would win.
roughrider
November 21st, 2011
12:49 pm
A one point win is a good as winning by a hundred.
Dawglasville
November 21st, 2011
12:50 pm
Maybe after the game, regardless of who wins, we can all agree to be civil and gracious. After all, none of us will contribute to the win or the loss.
That said, I think we will win. I steady dose of play action. I have more faith in Aaron not giving it away. I’m concerned about our tailbacks dropping the ball. We haven’t been stupid on defense. Hopefully that will continue that. Finish with hard, controlled, meaningful hits. I think the 5.5 is low but we all know this game gets a little funky.
ARdawg
November 21st, 2011
12:50 pm
Columbus Dawg
I am surprised it has taken this long for the question to come up again. I hope Bama plays in the NC for no other reason than to prove what a cartel the BCS really is. The conference championship isn’t a “requirement” per se’ of the BCS. Only those running the cartel who wish to pick and choose who does play, forgetting the point system they so much and often wish to point to
GTBob
November 21st, 2011
12:50 pm
ARdawg, I said the SEC east has no offense. Here are the current rankings:
UGA – 35
USCe – 80
Fla – 91
Tenn – 98
Vandy – 102
UK – 118
You have to admit that is one sorry offensive division. Overall the SEC is pretty sad as well but the east is really bad.
ARdawg
November 21st, 2011
12:51 pm
Oh yeah, on the 5.5 points. Not surprised at all. Vegas is riding the “one born every minute” mantra. Letting Tech fans think they have a shot at winning money
GTTrippy
November 21st, 2011
12:52 pm
Keep on talking trash Dog Fans. I love it. Can’t wait to see your dumbass faces on Saturday if GT wins the game. Can’t wait to dish some trash talk on the UGA blog. If GT wins they are the best team in the SEC East hahaha.
GT_B
November 21st, 2011
12:52 pm
The line is probably accurate coming off the performance from UGA, but as much as I would love to see Tech pull one out, if the D-Line and LBs don’t come out playing like men its going to be a long day… UGA’s line will push Techs front 7 around and open huge gaps. It’s painful to watch my jacket’s D against the run when they face a big strong line. (UVA, MIAMI, etc) Logan walls bless his goofy heart he tries hard but with no talent and no strength he gets pushed around like a overweight Rudy at NT.
George Stein
November 21st, 2011
12:53 pm
I thought the spread would be about UGA -4., which would make them a 7 point home favorite. That sounds about right.
I don’t believe last year will have any bearing on this year, but perhaps bettors got burned picking UGA -14 and so they had to lower it to attract more people. Who knows? Go Jackets!
ARdawg
November 21st, 2011
12:54 pm
GT Bob
The level of competition the SEC has face, especially on the defensive level is much greater, would you agree? Of course you wouldn’t, who the h311 am I asking
CHDawg
November 21st, 2011
12:54 pm
GTTrippy, actually I think the UGA fans are being pretty respectful of Tech. You, otoh…should probably read your own message if you want to see and example of trash talking and a lack of respect.
Dave
November 21st, 2011
12:55 pm
GTBob, all that matters is that out of 12 spots in the BSC, the SEC has 5 teams in it. You can spin it however you want….and I’m sure you will. Saturday at noon, UGA and Tech will resume once again Good Old Fashioned Hate. I think our D will swamp Tech, but the triple option can get loose from time to time. If the UGA team that beat Auburn shows up, it will get ugly for Tech and in a dad gum hurry. If the team that played Kentucky shows up, all bets are off.
And I am so sick of hearing about Crowell being nicked up and having to sit out…..
ARdawg
November 21st, 2011
12:56 pm
As opposed to last year, I’d expect a much lower scoring game. Actually, IMO, 5.5 is a pretty good margin. No reason to not take Georgia for you betting folks
McDawg
November 21st, 2011
12:56 pm
and Bama is #27 and LSU is #71 total offense
TechGrad
November 21st, 2011
12:56 pm
I love my Jackets, but I think UGA is going to shove us around on the line of scrimmage. That translates to their O running the ball straight at us (like in 2009) and their D forcing us to run to the outside and throw the ball. We need more horses up front, especially on the D-Line. If we’re going to come away with a victory, I think it will take a near perfect game from Tech and a few brain farts from UGA. I’ll be there regardless. Go Jackets!!!
Don Draper
November 21st, 2011
12:57 pm
@GTBob — “UGA very rarely even plays a team with a winning record.”
Georgia’s average oppoenent winning % is .525 and the average record is 6-5…..and they are playing GT this weekend at 8-3 and SEC West Champ the following week. GT’s average opponent winning % is .458 and average record is 5-6, but let’s not allow facts to enter the equation.
George Stein
November 21st, 2011
12:58 pm
I actually think Tech fans acquitted ourselves quite well, CHDawg. Thankfully, I haven’t seen any clowns saying anything disrespectful of Larry Munson. Quite the contrary, actually.
GTTrippy
November 21st, 2011
12:58 pm
CH Dawg…Respect and UGA just don’t go in the same sentence…ever. See your dumbass on Saturday making excuses why UGA lost!!! Hahahaha
DawgNcarolina
November 21st, 2011
12:59 pm
My only concern is, I hope the Dawgs arnt already looking ahead for the SEC Champ. game and do not prepare like they have in previous weeks.
George Stein
November 21st, 2011
1:00 pm
Look, Trippy, I want Tech to win as much as anyone. But save the smack talk for later.
Paul in NH
November 21st, 2011
1:00 pm
ARdawg
November 21st, 2011
12:51 pm
Oh yeah, on the 5.5 points. Not surprised at all. Vegas is riding the “one born every minute” mantra. Letting Tech fans think they have a shot at winning money
—-
You do know how betting lines work, I hope. The GT fans would be more likely to bet if the line were UGA -15.
If you think that Vegas is riding the “one born every minute” mantra they have set the line so that UGA fans will bet.
BullDawg Rick
November 21st, 2011
1:00 pm
Dawgs roll over Yech…
Yech can only tote the rock & has next to ZERO passing game.
Cover Hill w/ either Brandon or Beanden & he’s shutdown..
Too stout of D for the NATS to score more than 10 on this D…
This is the SEC Baby!!
Now they might get points off our special teams or our O, but not the D
Dawgs – 27
NATS – 13
te29wr
November 21st, 2011
1:01 pm
Luke
If you get your info from Snake Shapiro and Christy D I would not tell anyone. They know about as much as the NATS when it comes to football….. NOTHING They only thing they have played with is **********.
ARdawg
November 21st, 2011
1:01 pm
TechGrad
Our running game is pretty close to bi-polar as is our offense. We’ll manage 20-25 points on a bad day. Can your guys score more than that on that tough UGA defense? I don’t think they can. Our defense is as good as our offense is bad (at times). Id’d wager your running game might get 2 tds. Field position, turnovers and special teams have to go your way for you guys to win
GTBob
November 21st, 2011
1:03 pm
ARdawg, I agree, but it’s not an excuse for why the offenses are so bad. Why was the average ranking for the SEC east 66 last year, but it has shot up to 87 this year? Did the SEC not play defense last year? Why is LSU’s worst defensive games against non SEC opponents? Why are two of Alabama’s three worst defensive game against non SEC opponents?
GTTrippy
November 21st, 2011
1:03 pm
George…I have been listening to these dumbass UGA fans all season long!! Most of them are just plain Classless losers who need a football program to boost their egos because their lives suck so darn bad! I haven’t talked any smack until now. BTW I put an “if” in my post so how is it talking smack?
Silly Bloggers
November 21st, 2011
1:03 pm
I am unusually confident about this game. Granted, the Kentucky game was not impressive, but that is likely a combination of a letdown after the Auburn win (just like Okla, Okie St, Oregon, etc.), the fact that we had a walk-on WR turned RB cough up the ball twice, and Aaron Murray looking as bad as he has all year. We just weren’t geeked up for this game despite it being for the SEC East. We went into the Kentucky game knowing we could play our worst game over and still win. Not proud of this, but it is what it is.
Add to that the fact that our defense is lights out against the run. We aren’t going to hold them to -19 yards, 50 yards, and 20 yards as we have against UF, AU, and Ken, but GT will not have nearly the success running the ball that they usually do. We have some vulnerability in the Pass D, but I’ll take my chances against GT’s lack of passing attack…I wouldn’t be surprised to see a couple picks for our boys.
The final ingredient is that our boys will be excited to beat Tech. We are in their head as UF’s is in ours. I think we will win by 21 points and yes I will come back to take my medicine if we don’t.
Go Dawgs!
5150 UOAD
November 21st, 2011
1:04 pm
At 5.5 Vegas is really working to get money on the Tech side of the bet. I would have figured 7.5 to get the money there. Who is going to play for UGA? If Crowell is still hurt you can bet Richt will play THOMAS because his JOB is still riding on these last 3 games. The Tech game is the easiest game he has left.
Really Haters???
November 21st, 2011
1:04 pm
When we beat tech on Saturday, we will still haven’t beat anybody!!!LOL!!
OkieDawg
November 21st, 2011
1:04 pm
5.5 seems a little light but if Crowell and Thomas can’t play or Crowell plays hurt then maybe 5.5 is about right. I still think Georgia’s defense can stop a GT team that is a run dominated team. They have a run to pass ratio of about 5:1. It seems that Georgia could defend against the run and at some point make Tech pass the ball. But Georgia couldn’t stop them last year, mostly because Justin Houston did not play disciplined football and tried to chase the ball which GT wants you to do. If you are chasing the ball, the TO works. Discipline, fast LBs and big Safeties are effective against the TO, sounds like Georgia. If UGA’s defense forgets the ball and plays disciplined assignment football, we can stop the TO. Georgia’s offense will be effective enough if we don’t have to live by the pass because of the RB situation. Still a lot of ifs, maybe some of the ifs will become clearer by weeks end.
ARdawg
November 21st, 2011
1:05 pm
Paul in NH
Oh I am well aware. I would be willing to bet you now between now and kick off it goes to 10.5. My remark was being facetious, Vegas couldn’t give a rats patootie. After the handicap is set, the line runs on nothing but betting action to keep the intake and payout even.
KB
November 21st, 2011
1:06 pm
Gt Bob,
Defensive ranking
UGA 4th
South carolina 5th
Florida 17th
Vandy 20th
Tenn. 35th
Kentucky 63rd
In Addition florida , vandy, tennessee had to play the #1 and 2 defense in the nation.
Doubt techs offense would fare very well against those defenses, it struggled with the likes Maryland and Miami.
NoDragonCon
November 21st, 2011
1:06 pm
ANY fan from the ACC talking about strength of schedule is high as a kite. The ACC champ and the Big East need to have a play-in, playoff game to see who qualifies for any bowl with the word Muffler included.
7576DAWG
November 21st, 2011
1:07 pm
Vegas was way off in setting the line for the Kentucky game because they assumed that Georgia would have Thomas and Crowell for the Kentucky game. Against Auburn these two had nearly 250 yard’s rushing , which to Vegas means a balanced offense. If both had played against Kentucky we would have won by 30 points. Vegas want make that mistake again. We are only favored by 5.5 points because Crowell may or may not play and if he does we don’t know how long and I think Thomas is 50-50 at best, it all depend’s on if Richt think’s Thomas has paid enough penance.
Vegas also know’s that if CMR and Bobo get a lead they will sit on it and run out the clock which is Johnson’s strategy , keep the score close and run out the clock by keeping the ball on the ground. If Tech scores late and pulls ahead, Georgia could be in trouble unless Bobo will embrace his strengths in the receiving group of player’s. Georgia need’s to throw a lot more to Conley and Bennett. If the ball in catchable, they don’t miss anything. Georgia doesn’t need to freeze the ball , Johnson staying on the ground will be enough for both teams.
If Crowell and Thomas play’s that changes everything and you are balanced again and thus is Vegas’s problem in setting a point spread.
GTBob
November 21st, 2011
1:07 pm
Don Draper, nice. Using averages of the teams does make it look better since Boise and South Carolina’s records can inflate it. But the fact is that UGA has played two teams in the last 8 games who currently have a winning record and one of those will probably not end up with a winning record. The other will finish 7-5.
ARdawg
November 21st, 2011
1:08 pm
GT Bob
Really, why is last year even in this conversation? It has nothing to do with the here and now. As for LSU, did you notice two out of conference opponents were on the road?