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With the 2021 Orange Bowl on the horizon, the wait has been agonizingly long for both Michigan fans and players, as the days seem to drag on endlessly.
College football has been shaken by the recent surge in COVID cases across the nation, just as a matchup with Georgia looms in the near future.
What is the perspective of oddsmakers on this College Football Playoff semifinal?
Michigan still a big underdog on game week
Michigan remains a significant underdog to Georgia as the game draws near.
The Bulldogs are favored by 7.5 to 8 points over Michigan.
The Wolverines’ moneyline odds range from +225 to +240, while Georgia is listed at -290 to -305.
Michigan sportsbooks have set the over/under total at approximately 45 points.
Michigan has a season record of 11-2 against the spread, while 7 out of their 13 games have exceeded the total.
This season, Georgia has a record of 8-5 against the spread, and the under has prevailed in 7 out of their 13 games.
The history between these two programs consists of only two encounters. The most recent encounter took place in 1965, with each team emerging victorious on one occasion.
College Football Playoff Odds: Michigan vs. Georgia
BetMGM: Heavy bets on Michigan, spread and total tick up
The Wolverines are witnessing significant betting activity, especially on the moneyline, making it one of Michigan’s most popular books.
The line at BetMGM Sportsbook started at 7.5 points, however, it was updated to 8 points on Tuesday morning. Surprisingly, despite the change, a significant 68% of spread bets were still favoring Michigan.
It is important to mention that BetMGM is frequently utilized by teams from the Great Lakes State, since Michigan is one of the book’s busiest markets.
Furthermore, a significant 89% of the total moneyline bets are in favor of Michigan. Initially, the odds for Michigan were set at +230 but have slightly increased to +240 as of Tuesday.
The betting splits at BetMGM for over/under were fairly balanced, with 56% of the total bets placed on the under. On Tuesday, the total points for the game changed from an initial opening of 43.5 to 45.5.
How to watch: Michigan Wolverines vs. Georgia Bulldogs
- The upcoming matchup is between No. 2 Michigan, who holds a record of 12-1 and are the Big Ten Champions, and No. 3 Georgia, who also has a record of 12-1 and received an at-large bid.
- The time is 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
- The location is Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
- Television Network: ESPN
- Livestreaming online: ESPN+
- Sirius XM Channel 84 broadcasts Satellite Radio in Georgia, while Sirius XM Channel 82 broadcasts it in Michigan.
- The Learfield Michigan Sports Network is broadcasting on the radio.
- The winner of the game will face either Alabama or Cincinnati at 8 p.m. EST on Monday, Jan. 10, in Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Ind.
COVID threatening bowl season
In the past week, college football has been dominated by a surge of COVID cases.
Due to the virus, four bowl games have already been cancelled.
To prioritize the safety of the semifinal teams, media sessions will now be conducted virtually, and any events involving fan interactions have been canceled.
According to the Associated Press, Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis emphasized the need for constant awareness of their purpose, saying, “We must consistently remind ourselves that we have a specific objective here. This trip is solely business-oriented. Although we are fortunate to be staying in a fantastic hotel in Miami, surrounded by excellent hospitality, the location itself is inconsequential. Whether it be Ann Arbor, Athens, or Miami, our purpose remains the same, and that is to compete in the College Football Playoffs.”
Georgia defense still tops in the country
The Georgia defense has proven itself to be the top-ranked defense in the entire country.
This season, the Bulldogs have an impressive record of allowing only 9.5 points per game, leaving Clemson far behind in second place with 15.0 points.
Included in those numbers is a disappointing performance against Alabama, resulting in a 41-24 loss during the SEC Championship.
Despite this, UGA maintains its position as the second-best team in the nation for total defense, allowing only 254.4 yards per game. Additionally, they secure the third spot in pass defense, giving up an average of just 172.2 yards per game, and hold the fourth rank in rushing defense, allowing a mere 82.2 yards per game.
The area where Alabama managed to excel against Georgia was in their passing game. The Crimson Tide impressively accumulated a total of 421 passing yards when facing the Bulldogs during the SEC Championship.
Does Michigan need to shift their focus away from their 10th-ranked rushing offense (223.8 ypg)? Will Cade McNamara become the central figure of their offensive strategy?
McNamara’s only game this season with more than 260 passing yards occurred during the 37-33 loss to Michigan State, where he impressively threw for 383 yards.
Michigan defense has to stand tall
Michigan’s defense has been the team’s main strength this year, apart from their running game.
The Wolverines are closely matched with Georgia in various aspects. U-M holds the fourth position in points allowed, only giving up an average of 16.1 points per game. Additionally, they rank 12th in total defense, allowing an average of 315.8 yards per game.
Despite Georgia’s offense consistently scoring an impressive average of 39.4 points per game this season, it often goes unnoticed and receives little attention.
The Georgia defense has consistently placed the offense in favorable positions. However, when the defense faced difficulties against Alabama, the team’s offense couldn’t respond effectively.
The defensive front of U-M is as formidable as any other team’s. Aidan Hutchinson, with his impressive 14 sacks, and David Ojabo, with 11 sacks, consistently apply pressure on opposing teams. Once again, they will need to create chaos on the field to keep the Bulldogs off balance.
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