Saturday College Football Georgia @ Georgia Tech Odds, Free Picks and Predictions – Week 12 NCAA Football Spreads and Odds

Week 12 Free College Football Picks and Spreads: Georgia Bulldogs @ Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 2011 NCAA Football Vegas Odds, Free Picks, and Expert Predictions on ESPN Saturday 11/26/11: Regardless of what happens Saturday, the 13th-ranked Georgia Bulldogs (9-2) know they will be playing LSU in the SEC Title Game, and the 23rd-ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (8-3) know they can’t play for the ACC title. Despite nothing being at stake in terms of the big picture for both programs, Saturday’s meeting between the two schools is sure to be fierce. The in-state rivals will be playing for bragging rights, and that alone should bring out the best from both sides. Before their matchup with the top-ranked Tigers, the Bulldogs are six-point favorites against the Yellow Jackets.

Both teams have potent offenses, ranking inside the top 25 in terms of points scored. However, the two systems are about as different as possible. Georgia Tech runs a triple-option attack and ranks second in the country with 323.5 rushing yards per game. In contrast, the Yellow Jackets rank 112th in the country in passing. Meanwhile, Georgia is powered by a balanced, pro-style attack that ranks inside the top 50 nationally in passing and rushing. The end result has been the same on the scoreboard, but that is where the similarities end.

For the Bulldogs, their offensive success hinges on the play of quarterback Aaron Murray. The sophomore has already set the school record with 28 passing touchdowns this season, and he is well on his way to becoming the most productive player at the position in Georgia’s history. His big arm has allowed the offense to stretch and spread the field better than it has in years past. The results have shown on the stat sheet and in the win column. If Murray has a big game, Georgia will be tough to beat.

Georgia Tech has an impressive QB as well, but Tevin Washington has been doing his damage with his legs rather than his arm. Washington leads the Yellow Jackets in rushing this season and has scored a team-high 14 touchdowns on the ground. He has 24 touchdowns overall, and when he is making the proper decisions with the ball, the triple option is tough to stop. A 26-point effort against a tough Virginia Tech defense is testament to that, as well as a 31-point showing in an upset win against then-undefeated Clemson.

The X-factor for the Bulldogs is likely running back Isaiah Crowell. The freshman has impressed most of the year, leading Georgia in rushing. He gives the offense balance, which opens things up for Murray. The Yellow Jackets counter with receiver Stephen Hill. He has just 23 catches on the year, but he has more than 700 yards. At more than 30 yards per catch, Hill’s explosiveness speaks for itself. If he can deliver a couple of big plays, the potent Georgia Tech rushing attack becomes even more deadly.

In the end, the difference in the game could be the defense of the Bulldogs. Since dropping their first two games of the year, the Bulldogs’ defense has surrendered more than 20 points just once during their nine-game winning streak. The unit currently ranks 11th in the country in terms of points allowed, and Georgia defenders have the size and athleticism needed to take on the triple-option attack of the Yellow Jackets.

If this matchup was against any team other than Georgia Tech, the Bulldogs might be in danger of a trap game. However, the rivalry will make sure that Georgia isn’t looking ahead to the conference title game. Meanwhile, Murray and the Bulldogs’ offense should have no trouble putting up points against the Yellow Jackets’ defense, and while the Georgia Tech offense will likely hit a few big plays with its option attack, Georgia’s stout defense will hold it owns. The Bulldogs are a well-rounded team on both sides of the ball and should prevail.

Prediction: Georgia Bulldogs (-5.5) Covers the Spread

Free College Football Picks and NCAAF Predictions: Georgia -5.5 to cover the spread

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