Georgia is looking to become the first team to win back-to-back national titles since the start of the College Football Playoff system in 2014. But first, the Bulldogs will need to get by Ohio State and one of the nation’s best offenses in the second of the CFP semifinals on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.
There were some unseasonably cold temperatures during the holidays in Atlanta. However, temps are expected to be in the high 50s at kickoff on Saturday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓. 💥⏳@OhioStateFB vs. @GeorgiaFootball#CFAPeachBowl | #GoBucks #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/NZp0Cnx23T
— Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (@CFAPeachBowl) December 28, 2022
There has been very little movement in the line as Georgia opened as the 6½-point favorite, and according to the college football odds, the Bulldogs are now favored by seven points.
Below, we have four proposition bets, highlighting some key players in both camps. Examine the latest college football news, injury reports, and stats to help with Peach Bowl predictions and picks.
Let’s check the latest college football odds, stats, injury reports and college football lines for Georgia vs Ohio State. We’ve plenty of NCAA football odds for you to consider.
NCAAF: Georgia vs Ohio State Props
- Team scoring first loses the game (+155)
- The first score to be a field goal (+270)
- Marvin Harrison Jr. to go over 86½ receiving yards (-115)
- Stetson Bennett to go over 268½ passing yards (-115)
Time for a Comeback?
Both Ohio State and Georgia posted 3-0 records when the opponents scored first. While there aren’t any stunning comebacks by either the Buckeyes or Bulldogs this season, there is a chance for the team to fall behind early on coming back to win the game.
In October, Georgia did trail Missouri by 13 points in the second quarter and by 10 points at halftime and couldn’t take the lead until 4:03 remained. It was the fifth game of the season and the first time that Georgia trailed in a match.
The Bulldogs didn’t trail by more than seven points in a game the rest of the way and in both contests when Georgia did fall behind, the Bulldogs did hold the lead before the end of the first quarter. It will be curious to see what happens if Ohio State can get up early on the Bulldogs. Still, with the Las Vegas odds having a +155 price for the team scoring first to lose the game, it is worth taking a shot at that action.
- Pick: Team scoring first loses the game (+155).
Getting the Boot
Four times in the first six games, Ohio State opened the scoring with a touchdown, while Georgia broke through with a TD six times in the first eight contests, so it makes sense that the odds are at -400 for the first score to be a touchdown.
However, twice in the last five games in the regular season, Ohio State called on kicker Noah Ruggles to open the scoring. The same was true on the Georgia side of things.
Seven times this season Georgia kicker Jack Podlesny had multiple field goals. Ruggles was 3-for-3 on field goals in Ohio State’s last two games. It is worth the risk to go with the first points coming courtesy of a field goal since that is priced at +270 according to the college football betting lines.
- Pick: The first score to be a field goal (+270).
Harrison Ready to Roll
It is a bit of an up-and-down pattern for Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
He followed up a 185-yard effort against Penn State by having 51 yards on five catches. After having seven catches for 135 yards in a win over Indiana, Harrison managed just 68 yards against Maryland. In the debacle against Michigan, Harrison stepped up with 120 yards on seven catches and his 12th TD catch of the season.
Harrison averaged 96.4 yards per game during the regular season, and the number for those who bet online has been set at 86½ for the semifinal. Yes, Georgia is among the best defenses in the country. However, the Bulldogs went from having the 12th-rated pass defense in the country a season ago to No. 49 this season, so there will be a chance for Harrison to make some plays.
Harrison is tied for sixth for the most receptions of at least 40 yards and will look to come up with a big play or two against the defending champions.
- Pick: Marvin Harrison Jr. to go over 86½ receiving yards (-115)
Bennett Set for Another Title Run
Ohio State’s defense is better statistically than the Buckeyes were last season. Still, the Buckeyes have allowed 371 passing yards against Penn State, 318 versus Maryland, and 278 in the loss to Michigan.
Now Ohio State is set to face Georgia’s Stetson Bennett, seeking to lead the Bulldogs to a second straight national title.
All four of Bennett’s 300-yard passing games this season came in the first eight games. However, his best passer rating of the season came against LSU in the SEC championship game when he was 23-of-29 for 274 yards with four touchdowns.
Bennett passed for 313 and 224 yards in the two CFP games in 2021 and has the chance to put up some good numbers in this one.
- Pick: Stetson Bennett to go over 268½ passing yards (-115)
The odds and predictions in the article are based on the time of writing and publication. They may differ as to when the actual event takes place.
