>The Michigan Wolverines have a forecast 61% chance to win against The Georgia Bulldogs with a spread of -1.0/1.0 and an over/under of 63.0. The Michigan Wolverines are 0 – 0 against The Georgia Bulldogs in the 2021-22 Season.
— Friday, December 31st Georgia Bulldogs @ Michigan Wolverines
The second semifinal of the College Football Playoffs features a Big Ten/SEC showdown as No. 2 Michigan (12-1) goes up against No. 3 Georgia (12-1). The winner advances to the January 10 Championship Game in Indianapolis against the winner of the Cotton Bowl. Friday’s kickoff of the Capital One Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, Florida, is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
These teams have met twice in their history, with Georgia winning in 1965 and Michigan winning in 1957, with both games in Ann Arbor. Making their playoffs debut, Michigan is 21-27 in bowl games, including a 1-4 record under Jim Harbaugh. Georgia is 33-21-3 in bowl games, 4-2 under Kirby Smart, including a semifinal win in 2017.
Georgia Bulldogs
The Bulldogs are 8-5 ATS, and the under is 7-6 in their 13 games. The defense ranks 1st in the nation allowing just 9.5 ppg, and second in yards allowed (254.4). The offense is 28th in yards (442.8) and seventh in scoring (39.4).
The Bulldogs didn’t allow more than 17 points in any game all season until losing to Alabama 41-24 in the SEC Championship Game. They posted three shutouts and held six other opponents to 10 points or less. Georgia scored at least 40 points in seven games this season and won games against ranked opponents by a combined 111-26 before the Bama loss.
After taking over the quarterback job, Stetson Bennett IV started ten games with 2,325 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He threw for 340 yards and three touchdowns against Alabama but also had two interceptions and was sacked three times. JT Daniels threw for 722 yards in five games with seven touchdowns and three interceptions.
Zamir White has run for 718 yards on the season with ten touchdowns, and he averages 5.3 yards per carry. James Cook ran for 619 yards on the season with seven touchdowns while averaging 6.1 yards per carry. White was held to just 27 yards by Alabama, and Cook ran for 38 yards.
TIght end Brock Bowers leads the Bulldogs with 47 receptions, 791 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns on the season. Ladd McConkey, Jermaine Burton, and Adonai Mitchell all have at least 25 catches and 340 yards on the season. Georgia got George Pickens back for the SEC title game after a spring game injury, and he has 14 career touchdowns with 88 catches and nearly 1,300 yards.
Georgia’s defense has 41 sacks and 12 interceptions on the season. Linebacker Nakobe Dean leads the team with five sacks and is one of three players with two interceptions.
Michigan Wolverines
Michigan is 11-2 ATS, and the over is 7-6 in their 13 games. The offense ranks 13th in scoring (37.7), 10th in rushing (223.8), and 19th in total yards (451.9). The defense is fourth in scoring (16.1) and 12th in yards allowed (315.8).
Michigan put 42 points on both Ohio State and Iowa in their last two games after scoring 59 against Maryland. The defense has allowed less than 18 points in four of the last five games, the 27 allowed to Ohio State being the exception.
Quarterback Cade McNamara has completed 65 percent of his passes on the season for 2,470 yards, 15 touchdowns, and only four interceptions. He threw for 169 yards and a touchdown against Iowa and 159 yards in the win over Ohio State.
Running back Hassan Haskins has scored nine touchdowns in the last three games, with an impressive five against Ohio State. He ran for 169 yards against the Buckeyes and has six games this season with at least 100 yards. Overall he has 1,288 yards this season with 20 touchdowns, and Haskins averages 4.9 yards per carry.
Wideout Cornelius Johnson leads Michigan with 38 catches for 609 yards and three touchdowns. Roman Wilson also has three touchdown catches to go with 378 yards and 24 catches.
Heisman finalist Aidan Hutchinson has 14 of Michigan’s 34 sacks on the season, while David Ojabo has 11. Michigan has eight interceptions and eight fumble recoveries on the season for more than one turnover forced per game.
Betting Analysis
- Georgia Bulldogs -7.5 (-110). Money line -320
- Michigan Wolverines +7.5 (-110). Money line +250
- Total points 45.5. Over -110. Under -110
On paper, these teams are very similar as both run the ball well, protect the ball and play great defense. Turnovers, big plays, and penalties will likely determine the outcome, and it will be interesting to see how Georgia bounces back from the Alabama loss. Their defense is just too good to lay another egg, even as good as Haskins has been over the last month.
Betting Pick: Under 45.5 points (-110)
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