Georgia Auburn Betting – Bulldogs Won’t Make It Easy On Tigers
Sports betting odds are actually giving the Georgia Bulldogs a chance in their visit to the Auburn Tigers this Saturday, but it’s not out of the blue: the Bulldogs have been good in Auburn as of late, and they’ve got a tough defense that is going to make it hard on the Tigers’ Heisman favorite, who may be dealing with some distractions. We don’t think Georgia is going to win, but it’s going to be a nail biter.
What: NCAA football betting
When: Saturday, November 13th, 3:30 PM ET
Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL
Pick: Georgia +8.5
What’s On The Line
The Bulldogs (5-5, 3-4) bounced back from an overtime loss by trouncing Idaho State 55-7 at home, but they still need one more win over their next two games to become bowl eligible. The No.2 Tigers (10-0, 6-0) routed Chattanooga at home, but the talk around campus (and the nation) has been the story of yet another shady recruitment as Heisman favorite Cam Newton is getting hounded more by reporters than he has against opposing defenses. If Auburn wins this game, they clinch the SEC West, which makes next week’s “Iron Bowl” visit to Alabama a little less stressful.
Offensive Matchups: Georgia Auburn Betting
Georgia’s 54th-ranked offense has scored 40 points or more in four of their last five games, but the problem is, three of those games have been at home (the other game was the neutral-site battle against Florida). In three other road games, the Bulldogs scored a combined 45 points, so they’re going to have to find a way to generate points away from Athens. They have one of the best receivers in the country in A.J. Green, but freshman quarterback Aaron Murray has been up and down this year.
Auburn’s No.6-ranked offense starts and ends with Newton, who is second in the country in passer rating, fourth in rushing, and the runaway NCAA football betting favorite for the Heisman. If Newton is guilty of these allegations, he won’t be bothered by it at home, where the Auburn faithful is behind him 100%. Don’t forget about Michael Dyer and Onterio McCalebb, who gets holes opened for them in the spread offense because of all the attention paid to Newton.
Betting Edge: Auburn
Defensive Matchups: Georgia Auburn Betting
The Bulldogs are ranked 15th in the country defensively, and they’re particularly good against the run, coming in 13th. They forced three turnovers against Chattanooga, and that is what they’re going to need to stand a chance against the Tigers. Defensive end Justin Houston will aim to be in the Auburn backfield all day and build on his nine sacks, but he’s going to have his hands full against Newton, along with linebacker Akeem Dent.
Auburn’s defense is suspect in the secondary, and the Tigers are 95th against the pass. They’re going up against one of the best receivers in the NCAA in Green, and they’re going to have to tighten up to put this game away. Safety Zac Etheridge is better against the run than against the pass, but he may have to sit back more to help over the top against Green. Tackle Nick Fairley can generate a pass rush up the middle, but he’s going to need some help.
Betting Edge: Georgia
Notable Injuries: Georgia Auburn Betting
Defensive lineman Kwame Geathers (ankle) and receiver Logan Gray (jaw) have been listed as probable for the Bulldogs, but they’re not major contributors anyway.
As for the Tigers, cornerback T’Sharvan Bell (hamstring) and linebacker Daren Bates (shoulder) will have to work to be fit for this game.
Betting Edge: Draw
Outlook and Pick: Georgia Auburn Betting
NCAA football betting odds have the Tigers as an 8.5-point favorite at home in this SEC contest, and the Bulldogs have done well at Jordan-Hare lately, going 3-2 SU and 2-3 ATS. Auburn is only 4-3 ATS at home this year, and you have to think that all the discussion around Newton’s recruitment had to affect the team somehow. We think Auburn is going to come away with the win because of Newton’s ability to grind it out late in the game to move the chains, but the Bulldogs aren’t as bad as their record indicates, and they’re going to keep this game close thanks to their defense. Take Auburn straight up, but Georgia will prevent them from covering the online betting spread.
Blake’s Pick: Georgia
