Georgia
vs.
Georgia Tech
College Football
Pick
11/30/13
This is one of the few times in the last 20 years that neither of these teams are ranked going into the matchup. Georgia has been beaten down by injuries throughout the year and will now by without quarterback Aaron Murray, who unfortunately tore his ACL in a 59-17 win last weekend. It’s a brutal ending for one of the best SEC QBs in recent history. Georgia Tech still has a chance of making it to the ACC Championship Game if Duke loses this weekend, and this Game doesn’t change that. Even without Murray, the Bulldogs are -3.5 point favorites on the road at 5dimes.com
Georgia has had the edge in the rivalry known as “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate,” winning 12 of the last 13 years. However, the Bulldogs have struggled on the road this year, losing three of their Four Games with the lone win coming in overtime at Tennessee. Combine that with a defense that hasn’t been all that impressive and this Game will inevitably be close.
The Junior QB Hutson Mason will get the start on the road for Georgia, and while his numbers look great for the year, the only times he has played were in blowouts. He likely won’t be asked to pass it as much as Murray did, although you never know. When healthy, running back Todd Gurley can be one of the best rushers in the country. With 124 carries this year, Gurley is averaging 6.3 yards per carry to go with seven touchdowns.
against better teams, Georgia Tech hasn’t had the greatest success this year. They gave up 55 points to Clemson a couple weeks ago, and earlier in the season 45 to Miami and 38 to BYU. One thing those Games have in common is that they were on the road.
The Yellow Jackets run the ball a ton in its triple-option offense. They are fifth in the nation with 316 rushing yards per carry. In Games when they fall behind early, Vad Lee is often asked to pass more which so far hasn’t resulted in anything positive. In G Tech’s Four losses this year, Lee has zero passing TDs and five interceptions. The offense runs on a hot-hand type basis with David Sims having the most success this year with 746 yards and 11 TDs. Robert Godhigh only has 57 carries, but still has 623 yards, averaging 10.9 yards per tote. Vad Lee leads the team with 152 carries, but only averages 2.8 yards per carry. That can be attributed to sacks or when a play gets snuffed out, he holds onto the ball.
Georgia has a decent run defense, so it’ll be interesting to see how it goes down. Tech rushed for 306 yards in last year’s matchup, but still ended up losing 42-10 so there’s that. Gurley and Murray combined for Four TDs together in that Game.
The Bulldogs have not covered in five straight road Games and are 1-7-1 ATS in their last nine Games overall. The Yellow Jackets are 7-2 ATS in their last nine home Games, but are 0-5 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. The Bulldogs have covered in their last six meetings at Georgia Tech and the road team is 8-1-1 in the last 10 matchups between these schools.
We’re using the side on this Game as a Key Release so we won’t have a prediction on this page. However, the posted total is 57 and Our college model has this Game going Over 57