This game looks like a potential defensive battle as the Georgia Southern Eagles (7-2) play the Georgia Bulldogs (7-3). The SBC’s second-leading rusher, Matt Breida (1,242 yards, 14 TDs), will be on display in this contest. With this week’s game, Georgia has the chance to maintain its recent level of success. The team has won three of its last four. The game will air Saturday, Nov 21 at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPU.
In last week’s matchup, Georgia beat Auburn 20-13. Isaiah McKenzie had a solid performance, putting up 41 total yards and a TD. He got most of his yards on the ground, registering 26 yards and a score. Georgia Southern was victorious in last week’s performance as well, crushing Troy 45-10. James Dean had a solid outing for the Eagles, hauling in one pass for 23 yards and one TD. Matt Breida also had a big game with 84 rushing yards and a TD on 17 attempts.
The Bulldogs, a 16-point favorite, will be looking to defend their home field when Georgia Southern visits. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is currently not available.
Even with a positive Straight Up (SU) record of 7-3, the Bulldogs have not been an excellent bet so far this year, going 4-6 Against The Spread (ATS). Over their last five games, the Bulldogs have records of 3-2 SU and 2-3 ATS. The Bulldogs run for 5.3 yards per carry, 15th in the nation. Crossing over to the defensive side of the ball, the Bulldogs look to have a distinct advantage in certain spots. The Eagles could have a difficult time throwing the ball against the fourth-best pass defense in the nation. The Bulldogs give up 162.7 yards per game through the air. The Bulldogs make it hard on their opponents in the third quarter. Georgia averages 10.2 points during that period, one of the best in the country.
On the other side, the Eagles head into Week 12 with records of 5-3 ATS and 7-2 SU. Over their last five games, the Eagles have a SU record of 4-1 and a 3-2 record ATS for those betting with them. Georgia Southern has found a lot of success on the ground. Its 378.9 rushing yards per game tops Division I. Switching gears to the Georgia Southern defense, it has some favorable matchups that it may be able to take advantage of as well. The secondary for the Eagles will be looking to shut down the weak passing attack of the Bulldogs, which ranks 104th in the nation with an average of 183.8 passing yards per game. The Bulldogs will need to secure the ball against the turnover-minded Eagles. The defense ranks 10th in the country in turnovers with 2.2 per game. The Eagles usually get a boost in the second quarter, when they average 11.8 points this year. Special teams usually provides a spark for Georgia Southern. They average the 16th-most return yards in the nation with 114.8.
Predictions: SU Winner – Georgia, ATS Winner – Georgia Southern
Notes
Georgia is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games.
Georgia is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Georgia’s last 7 games.
Georgia is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Georgia’s last 5 games at home.
Georgia Southern is 7-0 SU when leading at the start of the 4th quarter this season. Georgia is 5-0 SU when carrying a lead into the fourth quarter.
Georgia is only 1-2) SU in games where it comes out ahead in the turnover battle, yet 4-1 SU when losing the turnover battle.
The Georgia passing attack is ranked only 104th nationally, while the Georgia Southern pass defense is ranked 43rd. The Eagles passing game is ranked just 128th, compared to the fourth-ranked pass defense of the Bulldogs.
