NCAA football lines – Sun Devils aim to tame Bulldogs
Posted on 9/17/2008 1:27:26 PM
By Stan Simmons
Online betting: Arizona State looking to rebound against Georgia
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WHO: No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs (-6.5) at Arizona State Sun Devils (+6.5)
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WHAT: NCAA football
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WHEN: Saturday, September 20, 8:00 PM ET
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WHERE: Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona
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KEY STATS: This is the first time these two schools have met
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THE PICK: Georgia
The No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs have slipped in the rankings since entering as the preseason No.1 team, but online sportsbook odds still say the SEC school is one of the leading favorites for the BCS championship. Georgia heads west for the first time in almost 50 years this weekend, when it visits Sun Devil Stadium to face the Pac-10’s Arizona State, which is coming off a stunning loss. NCAA football lines give the edge to the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs (3-0) had to overcome 11 penalties in a 14-7 win at South Carolina, and these mistakes never allowed Georgia to get into an offensive rhythm. The Bulldogs were held to 252 yards, but Heisman candidate Knowshon Moreno managed 79 tough yards and the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter.
A stud like Moreno is necessary for when your quarterback struggles, and Matt Stafford didn’t scare anyone with a 146-yard performance on 15-of-25 passing. However, the Georgia defense stepped up its game, holding South Carolina to 18 yards on the ground and forcing two turnovers.
The Sun Devils (2-1) came into this season with great NCAA football odds, and they figured to threaten USC in the Pac-10. Now they’re more concerned with getting back in the Top-25 after a crushing 23-20 overtime loss to UNLV at home.
Arizona State blew a 10-point lead with about six minutes left in the game, and an inability to convert on third down (just 2-of-9) came back to haunt it when trying to run out the clock. The Sun Devils also had a field-goal attempt blocked at the end of overtime, capping a miserable day which Arizona State thought would be a tune-up for Georgia.
BLAKE’S PICK: The Bulldogs enter the game with internet sportsbook odds of -7 on the road, and this will be the first head-to-head meeting between these two teams. Georgia has won seven of their last 10 on the road, but it’s only 5-4-1 when trying to cover the spread, so expect a close game.
Arizona State will be fired up but so will the Georgia defense, which is sometimes overlooked in a conference boasting of LSU and Auburn. Bet on the Georgia Bulldogs to end the Sun Devils’ BCS title hopes with a win on Saturday night.
Visit the BetOnline.com Sportsbook for a full list of NCAA Football lines.
Stan
Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping
has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much
time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps
the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or
questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
