The Georgia Bulldogs prefer to be in the College Football Playoff, but that’s not going to happen. Instead, they are left preparing for a matchup with the Texas Longhorns, who are happy to be having an opportunity to play this time of the year. Will the Bulldogs end their season on a positive note? Or will the Longhorns cap its campaign with a sweet victory? Going into the game, Georgia is a double-digit favorite at the sportsbook, with a 12.5-point opening (and sticking) spread.
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Betting Preview for the Texas Longhorns vs Georgia Bulldogs College Football Game on January 1 2019
Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans
When: Tuesday, January 1, 2019, 8:45 PM ET
Line: Texas Longhorns (+12.5) vs Georgia Bulldogs (-12.5) – view all 2018 NCAAF lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Texas Longhorns (9-4 Overall / 7-2 Record)
For the Longhorns, an opportunity to play in the Sugar Bowl against a team that a year ago was in the national title game is a shining reflection of the fantastic regular season they just had. A big reason for the Longhorns’ success is the play of quarterback Sam Ehlinger, who has 3,123 passing yards and 25 touchdowns against just five interceptions this year. He nearly led the Longhorns into huge upset against the College Football Playoff-bound Oklahoma Sooners. In that game, Ehlinger had 349 passing yards and two touchdowns and an interception on 23-of-36 completions. He also rushed for two touchdowns. Ehlinger is going to be handful for Georgia, especially if he develops rhythm early with his top targets in Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Collin Johnson. Humphrey paced the team with 1,109 receiving yard to go along with nine touchdown receptions, while Johnson had 945 receiving yards and seven TD grabs. As a team, Texas us 36th in the FBS with 31.3 points per game average.
On the season, the Longhorns hold a 5-7-1 against the spread (ATS) record, while the under is 3-0 in Texas’ last three games.
Betting on the Georgia Bulldogs (11-2 Overall / 7-1 Record)
Sure, Ehlinger has been terrific for the Longhorns, but he’s not the best quarterback who’s going to be on the field of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on New Year’s Day. That would be Georgia’s Jake Fromm, who’s improved play this season has the Bulldogs landing a spot on the New Year’s Six schedule. While the goal of Fromm of the Bulldogs were a return to the national title game, their failure to do so shouldn’t do Fromm’s image any harm. In his second year in Athens, Fromm managed to collect 2,537 passing yards and 27 touchdowns with just five picks thrown. He’ll be on top of the Bulldogs’ offense that averaged 38.7 points this season. On defense, the Bulldogs are just as potent. They have allowed only 20.1 points per contest and a mere 324.4 total yards per game, 18th and 16th in the FBS, respectively. Georgia made life hard for Alabama in the SEC title game, outgaining the Crimson Tide, 454-403, while also forcing Nick Saban’s team to commit two turnovers.
On the season, Georgia has an 8-5 ATS record but the Bulldogs are 5-1 ATS in their last six games, momentum that bettors like you may like.
Writer’s Prediction
Georgia wins, 37-23.
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