Things couldn’t have been more different Saturday when Georgia survived an upset scare by Georgia Southern, while rival Georgia Tech suffered a big loss on the road against Miami. But all things are equal when it’s time for some Clean Old-Fashioned Hate as Georgia and Georgia Tech contest their heated in-state rivalry.
Gearing up for big rivalry games in college football? Check out our complete previews for Alabama vs. Auburn and Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]Georgia Bulldogs vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Preview
Where: Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta
When: Saturday, November 28, 12:00 PM ET
Line: Georgia Bulldogs (-5) at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (+5) – view all NCAA Football lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN 2
Betting on the Georgia Bulldogs (8-3)
The Georgia Bulldogs had some problems against Georgia Southern’s triple option offense, allowing 233 yards rushing and a score. But the Bulldogs still found a way to eke out a win, 23-17 in overtime, through the strength of their running back Sony Michel’s 132 yards and the game-winning score on 23 carries.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]Michel has a chance for another big game against Georgia Tech, which is allowing 4.7 yards per carry this season. The Yellow Jackets have allowed 23 rushing touchdowns this season, including seven in their current three-game losing streak. Georgia also has the luxury of airing the ball out with quarterback Greyson Lambert.
Lambert hasn’t put up gaudy numbers recently, passing for less than 200 yards in his last four games. But he’s shown some big play ability like his Week 3 beatdown of South Carolina, completing 24 of 25 passes for 330 yards and three touchdowns. He also had a 279-yard and two-touchdown performance at Tennessee in October, instilling some confidence that he can perform on the road.
The Bulldogs also have a good chance of limiting Georgia Tech’s own rushing offense. Linebacker Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins should be able to limit or prevent the Yellow Jackets from big gains. The two are the only Bulldogs with double digit tackles for loss; Floyd has 11 and Jenkins 10.
The Bulldogs are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 against Georgia Tech.
Betting on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-8)
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets lost their third straight game in a 38-21 blowout at the hands of Miami on Saturday. But if there’s one matchup where they can pick themselves up, it’s going to be this rivalry game against Georgia. The Yellow Jackets will fancy their chances of going for the upset after seeing Georgia Southern’s triple option offense have some success against the Bulldogs in Week 12.
As mentioned above, the Bulldogs allowed 233 yards rushing and a score to Georgia Southern. The Yellow Jackets may have more talent in the backfield to exploit Georgia’s holes. Marcus Marshall leads the team with 609 yards rushing and four touchdowns, while running quarterback Justin Thomas has 491 yards and a team-high six rushing scores. Clinton Lynch and Patrick Skov have also been strong scorers with five and six rushing touchdowns respectively.
Lynch and Lynn Griffin were especially hot Saturday in the loss to Miami, rushing for 61 and 67 yards respectively each on four carries. The two averaged 15 or more yards per carry in the game. Having so many talented options on the ground should help Georgia Tech get past the Bulldogs’ solid rushing defense, allowing just 3.9 yards per carry.
Repeatedly running the ball should also help Georgia Tech run down the clock to limit big plays from the Bulldogs’ playmakers. It should also help mask a Yellow Jackets defense which lacks playmakers. But that doesn’t mean that Georgia Tech doesn’t have a solid defense. The Yellow Jackets are 45th in the nation, allowing just 364.9 total yards per game.
The total has gone under in seven of the last 10 matchups.
Writer’s Prediction
The Bulldogs are too well-rounded to lose to Georgia Tech. Take Georgia to cover -5. Create a betting account now and win big on the biggest rivalries in college football.
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