Two schools that prefer to keep the ball on the ground, Coach Mark Whipple and the Massachusetts Minutemen (+44) are ready to face off against the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. SEC Network owns the TV rights and the game’s scheduled to get going at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Massachusetts Minutemen vs. Georgia Bulldogs Betting Preview
Massachusetts is a big road underdog here and is currently receiving 44 points by oddsmakers. If the Minutemen seize control early it’ll result in a solid in-game betting opportunity. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 63.5 points.
The game’s O/U has shifted upward after opening at 63. The original line has stayed firm.
The Minutemen are 4-7 against the spread (ATS) and have lost 3.3 units so far. The team has posted an Over-Under record of 7-4. The Bulldogs have gained 2.3 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 6-3-1 ATS and have an O/U record of 4-5.
The Minutemen are a paltry 4-7 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Bulldogs are 9-1 SU.
The Minutemen came up short to BYU 35-16 in a blowout where their defense allowed the Cougars to eat up the clock by running for 221 yards on 40 rush attempts, including three rush TDs. Matt Hadley had a good day for the opposition in that one with 69 rushing yards and a score on 11 attempts. On the offense, Ross Comis completed 23 passes for only 183 yards. Marquis Young (51 rushing yards on 19 attempts, one TD) and the signal-caller Comis (29 yards on 13 carries, one TD) spearheaded the running attack in the loss. Andy Isabella (10 receptions, 85 yards) and Young (three catches, 16 yards) handled the receiving duties.
Georgia just earned a lopsided 27-10 win over Auburn. The team’s defense allowed the Tigers to run for 102 yards on 20 rush attempts. Ryan Davis was a bright spot in the loss for Auburn, posting 72 yards and a score on 13 catches. For Georgia, Jake Fromm completed 13-of-20 passes for 193 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. D’Andre Swift had an outstanding statline. Along with 186 rushing yards on 17 attempts (and one TD), Swift also reeled in four catches for 43 yards.
Massachusetts has run the ball on 50.6 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Georgia has a rush percentage of 62.6 percent. The Minutemen have rushed for 144 yards per game and have 21 scores via handoffs this year. The Dawgs are logging 241 rush yards per game and have 21 total rushing TDs.
If the results so far this season can translate to this game, then it seems like the Dawgs ought to hold an edge when it comes to efficiency in the ground game. Their backfield has logged 5.9 yards per carry while their defense is allowing 4.1 YPC to opponents. The Minutemen have recorded 4.1 yards per carry while allowing a YPC of 5.5 to opponents.
The Minutemen offense has averaged 299 yards in the air overall and has 25 passing scores so far. The Dawgs have recorded 222 pass yards per outing and have 21 total pass TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, Massachusetts has allowed 261 rush yards and 204 pass yards per game. The Georgia defense has allowed 172.3 yards per game to opposing passers and 131.0 yards per game to opposing runners. The Dawgs are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.76 to opposing QBs, while the Minutemen have given up a 7.67 ANY/A.
Offensively, Comis is up to 981 passing yards this year, and has connected on 70-of-119 attempts with eight passing scores and only one interception. Comis has a 7.71 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 7.85 over the last two outings.
Jake Fromm has completed 129-of-192 passes for 1,842 yards, 18 TDs and five INTs for Georgia. His ANY/A stands at 9.36 for the year and 8.03 over his last two outings.
RELATED: Week 12 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Betting Prediction: Massachusetts Minutemen vs. Georgia Bulldogs
SU Winner – Georgia, ATS Winner – Massachusetts, O/U – Under
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Team Betting Notes
Georgia has lost five fumbles this season while Massachusetts has lost 14.
The Georgia D has notched 14 sacks on the year while Massachusetts has nine.
As a team, Massachusetts has averaged 4.1 yards per carry across its past three contests and 3.8 over its last two.
Georgia has averaged 6.0 yards per carry over its last three games and 6.6 over its last two.
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