Belk Bowl Pick
Louisville
vs.
Georgia
12/30/14
If both of these teams were healthy, this line would be a little closer, but that is not the case. Todd Gurley is out for Georgia, but more importantly for Louisville, they don’t even know if their backup QB will be able to play yet. The Bulldogs are a -6.5 point favorite at 5 Dimes for the Belk Bowl in North Carolina.
Louisville’s regular starter, Will Gardner, has missed Four Games this year, so having a backup isn’t something new for this team. However, his backup Reggie Bonnafon is questionable for the bowl Game due to a knee injury of his own. If he can’t go, Kyle Bolin will get the start.
For the most part, Louisville’s backups have done a good job this year, as the Cardinals are 4-0 in Games when Gardner doesn’t start. This is a team that closed the season with three straight wins, including two road wins at Boston College and Notre Dame. Led by a defense that allows 20.5 points per Game, they faltered against better teams on the Schedule like Clemson and Florida State, while the offense struggled in their first loss at Virginia earlier in the year.
Georgia is somewhat the opposite with the way they play, led be an offense that scores 41.7 points per Game. The Bulldogs have a solid defense as well, but they are also the reason Georgia has three losses, giving up 30-plus points in those Games. Georgia has nice wins over Missouri and Auburn, but their losses are upsetting, losing to South Carolina, Florida and in the final Game against Georgia Tech.
In similar opponents, Georgia beat Clemson 45-21 in their first Game of the season, while Louisville lost at Clemson in October, 23-17.
The interesting battle between these teams will be the Georgia offense against Louisville’s defense led by former Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham.
Even without Todd Gurley, the Georgia rushing Game has been just as good behind the SEC Freshman of the Year, Nick Chubb (1,281 yards, 12 TDs). Chubb is averaging 6.9 yards per carry and has at least 113 yards and a touchdown in seven straight Games. At quarterback, Hutson Mason has done what’s been asked of him as he’s completing 67.9% of his passes for 20 TDs and only Four picks. He’ll have to keep his eye on safety Gerod Holliman, who has a crazy 14 interceptions this year, the most by one player since 1968.
The Cardinals have a good defense, but have been beaten up in recent weeks allowing 40 points to Kentucky in the finale. They haven’t really stopped a good offense yet (allowed 42 vs. FSU) so this will be a good test for Grantham and his crew.
As for Louisville’s offense, they also will try and run the ball, but they aren’t as good doing it. Georgia has allowed some big Games on the ground throughout the year though, so it’s possible the Cardinals find some success.
Louisville will ride the hot hand behind Michael Dyer and Brandon Radcliff. The two have combined for just over 1,100 yards and 16 touchdowns. Bonnafon actually has the worst numbers of the three QBs this year, but Bolin only played in one Game against lowly Kentucky. Due to Georgia’s offense, it’s expected that whoever gets the start, the QB will have to air it out at some point and with DeVante Parker (735 yards, 5 TDs) healthy, the Cardinals have the ability to keep up on the scoreboard.
Georgia will get their points against this Louisville defense, but the Cardinals should also be able to move the ball, which could make this a close, higher-scoring Game.
The Bulldogs are 4-1 vs. a team with a winning record and 11-5-1 ATS in their last 17 against the ACC. The Cardinals are 4-1 ATS in their last five bowl Games and also 4-1 ATS in their last five vs. the SEC.
We’re using the side as a key release to Our subscribers. So no free play on the side here. However, we’ll offer an opinion on OVER 57.5