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
thUGA
November 21st, 2011
1:08 pm
GT has ZERO repeat ZERO chance of winning
thUGA
November 21st, 2011
1:09 pm
This game should not even be played anymore.
81BME
November 21st, 2011
1:09 pm
As UGA fans are keenly aware, the MNC is won in July. Not sure why they are griping about being left out in January.
George Stein
November 21st, 2011
1:09 pm
I can’t see the line moving that much.
Most UGA fans a good people, Trippy. The anonymity of the web might affect some, though. Ignore them and move on.
Always a Jacket
November 21st, 2011
1:10 pm
Neither Team is very good. Both were blessed with very good schedules. UGA signiture win? MSU? or AU? UGA hasnt beaten anyone very good. GT beat Clemson and they are not as good as advertised. The spread is about right.
Beast from the East
November 21st, 2011
1:10 pm
Spread sounds about right. Looking forward to rivalry weekend!
thUGA
November 21st, 2011
1:10 pm
I have a better chance of winning PowerBall this weekend that GT has of winning this game
Seriously
AIRDAWGGGG
November 21st, 2011
1:11 pm
Hats off to GT on the clemson win. Just WIN dawgs.. Just WIN……….
WDE
November 21st, 2011
1:11 pm
Well I hope the bugs get the normal 500 yards on offense and we win by 1 or more…that way they are maybe not slit their wrists after going 1-10 as the “offensive juggernaut” will have continued to roll and GT Bob can sleep at night knowing that the “hung” 500 yards of offense on UGA . And seriously thanks to the many classy Tech and other fans on the remarks about the passing of Larry Munson the vast majority of you folks have been great thanks again.
CHDawg
November 21st, 2011
1:11 pm
ARdawg, I think the key is turnovers. That is how we lost to SC. Multiple dumb turnovers. That really helped keep several opponents in the game, including KY. We really should have beaten a number of teams much worse. Richt called being able to put them away after Ole Miss. I thought NMST and AU showed the O had made the next level, but KY was a step or two back. Murray was off and counting King and Ealey, we were down to our 6th TB on last year’s projected list. Maybe that got in Bobo’s head? The other biggy is when we try to run out the clock. That always seems to kill our momentum. We seem to do much better on shootouts. CTG does make adjustments, but he was embarassed by Tech’s option last year. I think that is one of the more interesting aspects of the game Saturday.
UGA Insider
November 21st, 2011
1:12 pm
Mike Bobo went total “vanilla” once IC got hurt. 70% off the playbook was layed to rest once he went out. Mike Bobo already stated he was just going to do enough to win the game and that’s what happened. So Tech fans don’t get your hopes up too high because we played with one arm tied behind our back Saturday. Boo better learn how to hold on the the ball and Harton is going to get hurt if he doesn’t stop jumping through holes. IC is probably not going to get any reps this week and is not ready for SEC Ball. I have no idea what’s going on with Thomas. I never heard a peep that he was in trouble….again. It’s gonna be an interesting next couple of weeks for sure.
George Stein
November 21st, 2011
1:12 pm
Huh. I thought WDE was an Auburn fan. Stupid me.
GTBob
November 21st, 2011
1:13 pm
Really, why is last year even in this conversation?
I was showing how much worse the offenses in the SEC east are this year compared to last year. So either the SEC did not play defense last year or the offenses got alot worse. Which is it?
St. Richt
November 21st, 2011
1:14 pm
I thought it would have been 3 or 3.5. Georgia hasn’t exactly run away with this game since Paul Johnson started at GT.
'94 UGA Alumnus
November 21st, 2011
1:14 pm
sounds about right to me. Tech’s offense is hard to stop and they will put up some points on us (even with the # 2 ranked defense against the run). We are going to have to outscore them and I’m thinking it will take at least 30 points to beat them. We are going to need Crowell to play the whole game to do that.
DawgInaTruck
November 21st, 2011
1:15 pm
I would have figured the line to be 3-5 points. I don’t care how many times you see it, the wishbone can cause problems because the QB has so many options. The game is at Tech and they, while a young team, are well coached and will bring the right attitude to the game Saturday.
Go DAWGS and GATA!!
okiemon
November 21st, 2011
1:15 pm
The Dogs will light up the scoreboard, and will put up AT LEAST 50 on Tech. How close it is depends on whether Tech can score a lot, too.
WDE
November 21st, 2011
1:15 pm
@George Stein those are my initials no Auburn fan here.
PB
November 21st, 2011
1:16 pm
GT Bob,
Always enjoy all the “stuff” you come up with, even though it is mostly sour grapes rationalization about Tech not usually being as good as UGA. Although last few years the games have been close, and Tech won one. But being at home is not going to help Tech that much. And UGA will win by more than 5 and 1/2… Hope so anyway.
5150 UOAD
November 21st, 2011
1:16 pm
@UGA Insider is Bobo that WEAK of a coach? Well, YES because the phone isn’t ringing for any possible job openings with his 35 point per game average.
Technically Correct
November 21st, 2011
1:16 pm
They just misplaced the decimal point. It should have been one place to the right…
ArkyTech
November 21st, 2011
1:16 pm
Georgia may be the first team in SEC history to win 9 straight games without beating anybody.
gomdawg
November 21st, 2011
1:18 pm
Point spread don’t mean nothing when Dawgs and the nerda play.
Gary
November 21st, 2011
1:19 pm
Georgia while winning did not do a very good job against the cats and missed the spread pretty bad. No running game at all against a horrible Kentucky. I expect a close game and fear an upset because of the running game issues. Our Defense is good, but they can get tired if they are on the field all night because the offense can’t move the ball and passes for three and outs. Georgia may also fail to prepare and be thinking ahead to the Dome. We saw Tech do that a few years ago. If I was a betting man, I would take Tech and the points. Crowell will be out and their is no telling if th elittle guy will be allowed to play. I am stunned by the arrogance of some of the dawgs on this blog. I guess the had a different view of last weeks game from their seat. From my seat in the stadium, we looked awful save some solid defense against the worst team in the SEC.
WDE
November 21st, 2011
1:19 pm
@5150 UOAD haven’t heard of the Wattle Neck Goon’s phone ringing off the hook either. And he is the offensive genius to end all offensive geniuses..well next to Charlie Weiss of course.
Fair and Balanced
November 21st, 2011
1:20 pm
Tech could be the best team Ga has played this year except for BS. On the other hand, Ga may be the best team Tech plays all season. Either team could win this. If Ga plays like last week….we could lose. If we play like we did vs AU…Tech has no chance.
Ron Swanson
November 21st, 2011
1:20 pm
“You have to admit that is one sorry offensive division. Overall the SEC is pretty sad as well but the east is really bad”
That is really amusing considering the top 3 teams in the country are in the SEC and the conference overall accounts for 5 of the 15 top teams. How many ACC offensive juggernauts are in the top 15?
WDE
November 21st, 2011
1:20 pm
@ArkyTech and after we squish your Bugs Azz people will still be saying that we haven’t beaten anyone.
red hill
November 21st, 2011
1:20 pm
Go jackets to hell, period
George Stein
November 21st, 2011
1:21 pm
Ha! Fair enough, WDE. I think you know what I thought they stood for.
Happy Thanksgiving.
gomdawg
November 21st, 2011
1:21 pm
Arkytech , just hold on you going to get some of that team Sat. Tech would be 5-4 with same teams.
7576DAWG
November 21st, 2011
1:21 pm
GTBob
Against non conference opponent’s Alabama gave up 11 point to Penn State and 21 to Georgia Southern. That’s pretty good. Against Ga. Southern I doubt any starters played after the first half. Alabama cleared the bench.
gomdawg
November 21st, 2011
1:22 pm
Well said WDE
dean
November 21st, 2011
1:24 pm
GA Southern put 21 points on AL.
LSU scored 9 against AL.
Therefore, GA Southern is better than LSU. NOT! LSU beat AL who beat GA Southern so GA Southern is not better than either.
So what do we have? A quagmire.
**The point being is every game is its own game. The high school mentality of “They lost to them, who we beat, so we’ll kill all of those who lost to them.” doesn’t wash. UGA offense sleep-walked through the KY game.
Tech ain’t KY. GA rolls.
bigdawg88
November 21st, 2011
1:25 pm
Vegas spreads have nothing to do with the actual score. They put those spreads out there to lure suckers to bet one way or the other. They know nobody will bet Tech straight up so they put the spread at 5.5 to get some suckers to bet for Tech, and if Crowell suddenly gets really healthy then the spread will increase even more to get more suckers to bet for Tech (since the other suckers will bet the Bulldogs big time.)
Don’t care what the spread is, we are going to lay some whuppin’ on the tech boys.
All you guys talking about how bad Kentucky is, answer me this… Is tech’s front seven as good as Kentucky’s? Are Tech’s DBs better than Kentucky’s? No, I don’t think so. Teams that can run between the tackles OWN tech’s defense. Anybody who couldn’t see that Bobo basically shut down the offense after we got the lead wasn’t watching the game.
The biggest question will be can Boo step up his game this week so he can be there in case IC can’t/won’t go? Carlton Thomas needs to be dropped just for being stupid. 3 strikes ought to mean you’re out. I’m pretty sure that Zander and some other guys will be getting work this week at tailback. Will be closer than it ought to be due to the RB situation, but we should pull this one out.
GO DAWGS!! GATA!!
thUGA
November 21st, 2011
1:25 pm
I have a better chance of winning PowerBall and Mega Millions and getting struck by lightening this weekend than GT has of winning this game.
Seriously
5150 UOAD
November 21st, 2011
1:25 pm
WDE I wouldn’t think Paul Johnson isn’t getting calls yet, but if he keeps winning at TECH he will get some calls. Bobo has been at UGA as a QB coach, OC, and Recruiter for about 10 years. Don’t you think he would be getting calls by now?
notice I didn’t call your coach any disrespectful names.
Fair and Balanced
November 21st, 2011
1:26 pm
Gary’s comments are right on target! I fully concur except that could not bet. I think this game is a toss up.
Chris Ryder
November 21st, 2011
1:26 pm
This weekend has sure created a mess for the BCS. That being said, it doesn’t matter one whit between the Dawgs and the Yellow Jackets. I personally think the Dawgs stand a better chance between the two.
I’ve already gotten some Belk Bowl tickets for this year. I’ll enjoy Charlotte this time of year.
OkieDawg
November 21st, 2011
1:27 pm
If Sunday mornings headline reads: “One Brilliant Call Wins a Close One”, then I’m afraid it won’t be good for the Dawgs.
Joey
November 21st, 2011
1:28 pm
The line does surprise me after the UK debacle. Saturday convinced me that the Tech game will go down to the wire, and that if we go back to Atlanta with the “play to not lose” offensive game-plan, we have no hope there at all.
Our D is becoming great, but it can’t beat the West Champ alone.
Pencil necked geek
November 21st, 2011
1:28 pm
No surprise to me! We are both better teams that we were on the day of our losses. UGA is rolling on defense, and we know how to stop BOBO on offense. CPJ has a penchant for this kind of game, and he will have some tricks up his sleeve that we have been practicing all year. Look for a close finish, but I think we get up on the dogs big early. It will be decided in the 4th quarter late, and I like our chances becuase your big back quits about mid way through the 3rd quarter. You don’t have Richard Samuels to pick him up, so it will be a big challenge for Boo and Hardon.
GTBob
November 21st, 2011
1:29 pm
Against Ga. Southern I doubt any starters played after the first half. Alabama cleared the bench.
Bama’s starters played until late in the 4th quarter. Well after Ga Southern got all of their points.
Ron Swanson
November 21st, 2011
1:30 pm
If you can’t stop Duke’s offense, how is that you know how to stop Bobo’s?
Dr. Morpheus
November 21st, 2011
1:30 pm
First off, thanks to the many honorable Techsters who paid their respects to Larry Munson on the AJC blogs.
UGA should take this game very seriously; and, especially after the unimpressive win against KY, I’m sure they will. This year’s Dawgs have shown great character and determination, outrageous comments by certain bloggers to the contrary notwithstanding. I don’t bet with bookies but I see Georgia winning by a larger margin than 5.5. The main reason Georgia didn’t blow KY out was fumbles by the back-up RB’s. Murray failed to see and throw to open receivers a few times and KY’s run defense was generally stout. If Georgia doesn’t turn it over or regress on special teams, they should win by 7 or more. Disclaimer: I’m usually wrong about these things…
Bu, but....
November 21st, 2011
1:30 pm
Greatest recruiting class(es) ever (every year)…blah blah blah
George Stein
November 21st, 2011
1:31 pm
We have spotted UGA a two touchdown lead the past three seasons. It’d be nice to see us play a complete game one time.
ArkyTech
November 21st, 2011
1:31 pm
Mutt logic: The SEC West has teams ranked #1-3 in the country, thereby proving the SEC East really isn’t weak…….
atlvol55
November 21st, 2011
1:31 pm
Columbus Dawg:
With all due respect, Georgia got its doors blown off by an average TN team in 2007. Alabama lost by three points to the number #1 ranked team in the country and crushed the #3 ranked team in the country. The comparisons you are making between Georgia in 2007 and Alabama in 2011 aren’t even close
1eyedJack
November 21st, 2011
1:31 pm
I hope Bobo has Aaron throwing through a tire all week. One of them little fair booth tires.