Michigan football betting odds and prediction vs. the Georgia Bulldogs
By Bob Heyrman
The tale of the tape; Michigan football vs. Georgia Bulldogs
Smart’s Bulldogs pride themselves on defense. Georgia will bring the best defense in the country to the table come New Year’s Eve. The Bulldogs allow just 9.5 points per game and just 81.7 rushing yards, ranking third in the country.
That will be the biggest matchup of the day. Georgia’s stout run defense up against Michigan football’s spectacular rush offense. The Wolverines rank ninth in the country, averaging a whopping 224 rushing yards per game, behind Hassan Haskins, Blake Corum, and the emergence of true freshman Donovan Edwards.
Corum’s athletic ability perfectly compliments Haskins’ punishing running style. Haskins has amassed 1,288 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns this season. Corum has rushed for 939 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns, along with hauling in 22 receptions totaling 143 yards and a score.
Edwards is an elite receiver out of the backfield that has only been utilized in recent weeks. He’s made 17 grabs for 216 to go with 158 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Edwards also touched Iowa in the Big Ten title game with a perfectly thrown ball for a touchdown on a trick play.
Linebacker Nakobe Dean leads the Bulldogs defense. Dean leads the team in numerous categories; tackles with 61, 8.5 of which are for a loss, and two interceptions. He’s also recorded five sacks on the season.
This has the makings of a long day for Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara. The Wolverines average just 228 passing yards per game, ranking them 67th in the country, while the Bulldogs allow a third-best 171.5.
Wolverines offensive coordinator Josh Gattis has his work cut out for him; perhaps he showed that Donovan Edwards deep touchdown pass a game too soon?