Orange Bowl: Georgia at Michigan: 12/31/21 College Football Picks and Predictions
Photo by Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan Wolverines (12-1) vs Georgia Bulldogs (12-1)
Game Info: Friday, December 31, 2021 at 7:30 pm (Hard Rock Stadium)
Betting Odds: Michigan Wolverines +7.5-- Over/Under: 45.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Georgia Bulldogs and Michigan Wolverines face off on New Year's Eve in a college football showdown at the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. This is a college football playoff game and the winner will face Alabama or Cincinnati.
The Georgia Bulldogs had won their first 12 games before losing their last game against the Alabama Crimson Tide. The defense has been strong all season, but against the Crimson Tide they gave up 41 points. Georgia is averaging 39.4 points while their defense is giving up 9.5 points per game. Two games ago against Georgia Tech, they shut them out, and they are going to need strong defense again in this game. This is a team that has done a good job of keeping teams out of the end zone, but they need to play better than they did against Alabama. Under center for Georgia is Stetson Bennett and he has thrown for 2.325 yards. 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Bennett did throw two interceptions in the last game, and he needs to take better care of the ball. Zamir White and James Cook have been a 1-2 punch out of the backfield with both guys rushing for over 600 yards.
On the other side of this matchup is the Michigan Wolverines who sit with a 12-1 record and they have had back-to-back big wins. Two games ago they beat Ohio State 42-27 and in the last game against Iowa, they won 42-3. Michigan is averaging 37.7 points while their defense is giving up 16.1 points per game. Michigan is a run-first team and they are averaging 223.8 yards per game on the ground. Hassan Haskins has been a star for Michigan rushing for 1,288 yards and 20 touchdowns. Cade McNamara has been good under center too, throwing for 2,470 yards, 15 touchdowns, and four interceptions.
Georgia is 6-2 against the spread in their last eight bowl games. Michigan is 5-0 against the spread in their last five games overall. The under is 6-1 in Georgia’s last seven games as a bowl favorite. The over is 4-1 in Michigan’s last five bowl games.
Michigan is being overlooked, and Georgia showed some holes in their last game that the Wolverines can attack. I expect Hassan Haskins is going to find success running the ball, and that will be enough for Michigan to cover the spread. I also think Michigan could pull the upset, and I will be throwing a few dollars on the Wolverines to pull the upset.
Shane’s Pick Michigan +7.5
AUTHOR: Shane Mickle
Mitch's Take...
