College Football Playoff Odds: Michigan A Touchdown Underdog Against Georgia

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Not too long ago, anticipation was high for the Michigan football season, with people anxiously awaiting any potential setbacks.

It was anticipated that Jim Harbaugh and his team would once more fall short of meeting the high expectations for a championship.

Currently, enthusiasts of Wolverine are joyously commemorating their initial victory in the Big Ten Conference championship since 2004, as well as the program’s inaugural qualification into the College Football Playoff.

Michigan is currently showcasing exceptional performance and will strive to continue their momentum as they face off against Georgia in the Orange Bowl on December 31.

Have oddsmakers finally started believing in the Wolverines?

College Football Playoff Odds: Michigan vs. Georgia

No love from Michigan sportsbooks in semifinal

Despite Michigan’s recent strong performance, the Wolverines are not being favored against Georgia according to the odds at Michigan sportsbooks.

Following the release of the matchup on Sunday, BetMGM Sportsbook initially favored Georgia by 7 points in the semifinal against Michigan. However, the line shifted to 7.5 points by late Monday morning across most Michigan sports betting platforms, except for PointsBet Sportsbook, which offered Michigan +8.

Georgia was favored with a moneyline of -300, whereas Michigan initially started at +220 but has now shifted to +250.

The total points expected for this defensive showdown is only 43.5, as indicated by the over/under.

After their 42-3 victory over Iowa on Saturday, Michigan’s record against the spread this season stands at 11-2. Out of their 13 games played, the Wolverines have seen seven matches surpass the total score.

This season, Georgia has a record of 8-5 against the spread, with the under being the favored play in seven out of their 13 games.

In their entire history, these two programs have only crossed paths on two occasions. The most recent encounter took place in 1965, resulting in a victory for each team.

U-M moves up national title markets

According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Michigan’s odds of winning the National Championship were +850 just a few days ago.

During that exact moment, Georgia had a significant advantage with odds of -220 in their favor.

Currently, Michigan’s odds have shifted to +750, whereas top-seeded Alabama has regained their status as the favorite with odds of +120. Prior to the SEC championship game, the Tide’s odds were at +650.

Georgia is closely trailing behind Alabama with odds of +135, while Cincinnati, the fourth seed, is significantly further behind with odds of +1500.

On December 31, BetMGM has designated Bama as a 13.5-point favorite in their semifinal matchup against Cincinnati.

In certain sportsbooks, Michigan’s odds to make it to the College Football Playoff were +2000 back in August, while their odds to win the national championship were +8000.

The individuals who bet on U-M to secure the Big Ten championship must be overjoyed. Back in August, the odds for the Wolverines to win the conference title stood at +1700.

How to watch: Michigan Wolverines vs. Georgia Bulldogs

• The matchup for the College Football Playoff semifinal features No. 2 Michigan, the Big Ten Champion with a record of 12-1, going head-to-head against No. 3 Georgia, who secured an at-large bid with a record of 12-1.
• Date and Time: Friday, December 31, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.
• The event will take place at Hard Rock Stadium, located in Miami Gardens, Florida.
• ESPN TV features Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, and Holly Rowe as the announcers.
• ESPN+ offers live streaming online.
• The Learfield Michigan Sports Network is on the radio.

Michigan rolls over Iowa

Despite some offensive struggles in the second quarter, Michigan dominated Iowa in the Big Ten championship game on Saturday.

The Wolverines made a strong start as Blake Corum sprinted for a 67-yard touchdown run during Michigan’s second possession. Just a minute later, freshman Donovan Edwards connected with receiver Roman Wilson for an impressive 75-yard touchdown pass.

Michigan struggled offensively in the second quarter as Iowa effectively shut them down. However, the Wolverines bounced back in the second half and managed to put together four impressive scoring drives.

In the closing minutes of the game, leading 35-3, Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines made a heartfelt decision to attempt one final touchdown within the last 90 seconds, aiming to reach a total of 42 points. This act served as a tribute to Tate Myre, the Oxford football player who tragically lost his life in the school shooting that occurred earlier in the week.

In the victory, Michigan accumulated 211 yards on the ground and 250 yards through the air, while effectively limiting Iowa to a mere 279 yards overall.

Aidan Hutchinson’s outstanding performance in the game earned him the title of MVP. He made four tackles, one sack, and two hurries, showcasing his relentless pressure off the edge. His exceptional skills caused significant problems for Iowa.

Georgia defense should be a challenge for Michigan

In the SEC Championship, Georgia suffered a 41-24 loss against Alabama, revealing their vulnerabilities.

Throughout the season, the Bulldogs showcased an impeccable defensive performance, yet they unexpectedly surrendered a total of 536 yards to the Tide, with an astounding 421 of those yards being through passing plays.

However, UGA arrives at the Orange Bowl alongside Michigan, making a strong case for having the best defense in the country. The Bulldogs hold the top spot in scoring defense, allowing only 9.5 points per game. They also rank second in total defense, surrendering just 254.4 yards per game. Additionally, their passing defense stands at third place, allowing a mere 172.2 yards per game, while their rush defense holds fourth place, limiting opponents to only 82.2 yards per game.

Although not the strongest, Michigan still holds a commendable fourth rank in scoring defense (16.1 ppg), and manages to secure a place within the top 25 in the remaining three categories.

Georgia’s offense showcases an impressive amount of speed, with Zamir White and James Cook contributing a remarkable total of 1,337 rushing yards.

This season, Stetson Bennett has achieved a remarkable feat of throwing for 2,325 yards and 24 touchdowns, while enduring a mere nine sacks.

A significant factor for U-M’s success will depend on exerting pressure on Bennett. With Hutchinson leading the team’s 34 sacks this season, it emphasizes Michigan’s prowess in generating pressure.

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