Even if Brantley starts for the Gators, Georgia’s still favored
Yes, here's that picture of John Brantley again. No, I couldn't find a better one. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
The Vegas folks waited a while before posting a line on Georgia-Florida because they wanted to see if Florida quarterback John Brantley is apt to play. On Monday, the Gators classified Brantley as “probable.” And Georgia has been made a three-point favorite.
Which makes you wonder: If Brantley had been listed as “doubtful” or even “questionable,” would Georgia be a seven-point favorite?
There’s no doubt Brantley makes some difference for the Gators. Florida was 4-0 and had taken an early lead on Alabama — which admittedly didn’t last long — the night he suffered his “lower leg” injury. They’ve scored a total of 17 points in two games since.
Brantley has been better under Charlie Weis than he was last season. Had he thrown enough passes to qualify, he’d be second in the SEC in passer-efficiency rating behind Jarrett Lee of LSU. (Brantley’s at 152.6; Georgia’s Aaron Murray is at 150.3.) But I don’t know that Brantley is a Tebow or a Wuerffel or even a Kerwin Bell or a Rex Grossman. He’s a good college quarterback. His presence will give Florida a fighting chance. That said …
Alec Ogletree will return at linebacker for Georgia. That’s a pretty big deal in itself.
Oh, and if you care to chart an intriguing bit of line movement, watch what’s happening with Georgia Tech and Clemson. The Tigers opened as a 4 1/2-point road favorite. They’re now favored by 3 1/2 points, which means: Some speculators out there like the Jackets’ chances.
By Mark Bradley
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304 comments Add your comment
whats a three point shot worth ?
October 28th, 2011
4:09 pm
Fla by 21…..let the annual beat down commence.
gtfan11
October 28th, 2011
4:28 pm
I’m curious to know what the odds makers see in the Tech – Clemson game. Tech’s offense has progressively gotten worse as Washington looks more like Nesbit throwing a cinder block. The defense is showing some improvement, but I don’t see Tech being within 21 points of Clemson. I hope I’m wrong, but if I were a betting man this weekend, my money would be on Georgia to win and Tech to lose. Prove me wrong Jackets!
230gr Full Metal Jacket
October 29th, 2011
3:22 am
Pretty much my thoughts also GTfan11. BUT, Caesar’s palace has been reporting that the line is dropping because the “sharps” are putting their money on Tech. Apparently either they know something I don’t, or they are counting on the fact that records rarely matter in this rivalry and they see that if Washington can just complete an ocassional pass Clemson may be in for more than they bargained for. Plus everyone is counting on the traditional “Clemson Collapse” which seems to always happen at some point. But back to my reason for coming here to start with….
Good luck to UGA tomorrow! Ya’ll should stomp the gators the way your defense has been improving lately. I have a feeling Crowell is going to have a VERY good afternoon too!!! Here’s to both UGA and GT winning out ….Until November 26th that is!!!!!!!!
HunkerDawg
October 29th, 2011
9:41 am
We aren’t going to win this game. Our coach stinks. We’re going to lose to Florida, then to Auburn, and then to Tech. Recruiting will fall off. The Jackets will become the state’s dominant program. The SEC East will smother us, and we’ll become just another sucky team in an ocean of sucky teams. I’m already depressed.