Who Will Win - Kirby Smart's UGA Football or the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets?
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ATHENS - Kirby Smart and No. 6 UGA football will take on the Jackets in the latest edition of Clean Old Fashioned Hate Saturday afternoon Between the Hedges. Here is what will happen this rivalry weekend for the Dawgs and all over college football... according to the Dawg Post crew.
Michigan (+21) at Ohio State | FOX | 12:00 PM
Matt’s Pick: Maybe I’m crazy, but this seems like too many points. The Buckeyes appear to have stamped their ticket to the playoffs. I know they've lost three in a row to Michigan, so they’ll be ready to play, but I still expect this one to be closer than that. The Buckeyes shouldn’t have a ton of problems, but in a rivalry game, I think this one could be closer than many think. Buckeyes win, Wolverines cover. Michigan (+21).
Ryan’s Pick: I’ve watched Michigan this year. The Wolverines are getting better but that does not mean it is near what it was the last few years. Ohio State is, and the Buckeyes are sore after losing this matchup three straight times. Give me Ohio State (-21).
Dean’s Pick: I will take Michigan (+21) here. Why? This seems like a sandwhich game, and I think it is a lot to ask Ohio State to play three games in a row that matter a lot - and this one just doesn’t matter like the next one.
State (+26.5) at Ole Miss | ABC | 12:00 PM
Matt’s Pick: Another massive line. Just feels like this is too many points. The Rebels are better, but I don’t expect them to come out with the same fire and energy as they would if they still had everything in front of them. State has nothing to lose, and while they stink, they’ll still play hard against their in-state rival. Rebels roll to an easy win, but I’ll take State with the points. Bulldogs (+26.5).
Ryan’s Pick: I originally took Ole Miss on the video version of this. I had to change my mind. This game is usually wild, and this season has been wild. I am expecting and rooting for that trend to continue. I will say, the one reason why I was leaning with the Rebels was because they are going to need style points this weekend if it wants to sneak back into the CFP. They aren’t getting them. Miss State (+26.5).
Dean’s Pick: I love this game - it is so stupid. I miss that the Egg Bowl isn’t on Thanksgiving night. We have a pretty early Thanksgiving meal (non-inlaw... in-law Thanksgiving is so much more delayed. We are lucky if we eat by 2 PM for “lunch”) so what I focus on is eating a set of desserts in the first half, and in the second half and to be ready for all of the stupidity that ensues. I will take State (+26.5) here... just too many points, and Ole Miss’ head won’t be right for a while.
Tennessee (-10.5) at Vanderbilt | ABC | 12:00 PM
Matt’s Pick: Tennessee’s got a chance to make the playoffs now. There's a lot on the line, and even though they're playing one of their biggest rivals, they’ll show up big. Tight first half, but the Vols break away and roll to a comfortable victory in Nashville. Give me a big Tennessee win. Vols (-10.5).
Ryan’s Pick: ilIt was fun while it lasted for Vanderbilt, and now the Commodores are doing more losing than winning. Tennessee just needs to win this game and it should be in the CFP. I like the Volunteers (-10.5) here.
Dean’s Pick: This is too critical a game for the Vols. Vandy has played folks tought, and Tennessee has slowed some in SEC play. But they are not going to screw this up. Vols (-10.5) - with a solid win.
South Carolina (+2.5) at Clemson | ESPN | 12:00 PM
Matt’s Pick: I know they’re on the road, but Carolina’s playing better and better. They’re getting solid quarterback play, the defense has been excellent all year, and I expect them to attack Cade Klubnik all night long. This Carolina team knows their playoff chances are extremely slim, so the season all comes down to this. They’ll be ready to play and take down the Tigers. South Carolina (+2.5).
Ryan’s Pick: I’ll go with teams you can’t trust for 300. I think South Carolina might beat the crap out of Clemson. Everybody here has watched the games right? The Gamecocks (+2.5) are better. Give me the better team and the points.
Dean’s Pick: I’m not sure I get this line, which means I am going to take the Taters. South Carolina is the better team. But with everything on the line, that program usually fails. This, amazingly, could go down as the biggest Clemson-Carolina game ever. Give me the Tigers (-2.5) to win and cover, but Carolina is the better team.
Notre Dame (-7.5) at USC | CBS | 3:30 PM
Matt’s Pick: I was thinking USC at first, but the more I think about this one, but more I like the Irish. I can totally see them falling on their face, but I’m not sure this Trojans team can get the job done. I don’t like that half point, but if the Irish are truly one of the 12 best teams, they’ll beat this bad USC team comfortably. Time to prove they’re not complete frauds. Notre Dame (-7.5).
Ryan’s Pick: I watched Notre Dame last week and I watched USC last week. They are not in the same universe. Notre Dame (-7.5).
Dean’s Pick: I’ll take the Irish (-7.5). This is a critical game that I expect to take in Saturday afternoon. I expect to see Notre Dame continue to play well. USC is a mess.
Florida (-2.5) at What’s Left of Florida State | ESPN2 | 7:00 PM
Matt’s Pick: The Florida State Seminoles are giant losers. They've quit on the season. Completely given up. They don’t have tough players. They don't have good players. Now they’re taking on a Florida team riding high and playing well. Sounds like a disaster. Give me Florida (-14.5).
Ryan’s Pick: Florida, more than any other team this season, exceeded my expectations for it. I feel kinda bad for Florida State. The fall off this season has been insane. The Seminoles are proof that things can go bad very quickly. I feel good about taking Florida (-14.5) here.
Dean’s Pick: The Noles thought they were going to share in misery at the close of this season with the Gators.
Nope. Florida has discovered itself. Give me the Gators (-14.5) to finish the Noles off for the season. The Birminham Bowl never looked so good!
Texas (-6) at Texas A&M | ABC | 7:30 PM
Matt’s Pick: I went back and forth on this one, but I’ll take the Horns. The Aggies can’t be trusted. Kyle Field is overrated. They just lost to Auburn, dropping passes left and right along the way. Texas will show up ready and will win this one by a touchdown or more. Give me Texas (-6).
Ryan’s Pick: I am in the boat that thinks Texas is a little overrated. I do think Texas is a better team than A&M. I’ve witnessed teams go on the road and struggle all year. The crowd at Kyle Field has been anticipating this for a long time. I’ll take Texas A&M (+6). I don’t know if the Aggies will win, but I think this is going to be a close one. Outside of the Georgia game, this is by far the most difficult challenge the Longhorns have been dealt.
Dean’s Pick: So I am pretty certain Texas is the better team, but this is a loin’s den they are headed into. That said... I thought this game would go a lot like the UGA-TX game earlier this season - all of the focus and attention on the home team with the away team only having to come in and play well to win.
Then TAMU decided to shit itself at Auburn. Now? I expect Texas to win and advance to play the Dawgs. An Aggie upset would mean it is possible Georgia would get a very favorable matchup in the Dome next Saturday afternoon. Texas (+6) covers.
Tech (+19.5) at Georgia | ABC | 7:30 PM, Friday
Matt’s Pick: I think Georgia wins this one convincingly, but I think Tech will fight just hard enough to land the cover. That's a lot of points, and if Georgia’s offense isn't clicking, this could've been closer than Georgia fans are hoping for. The Dawgs shouldn’t have a ton of trouble, but I’ll take the Jackets to fight hard and not get completely blown out. Georgia wins, but the Jackets cover. Georgia Tech (+19.5).
Ryan’s Pick:
My question is about whether or not Georgia looks ahead to next week instead of completely focusing on this game. I know Kirby Smart is not, but the players certainly could. This has been a tough season for the Dawgs. I think something that is good for the team is that it is finding offensive rhythm at the right time. It is off of a feeling, but I think Georgia (-19.5) covers the big line. This team has a lot to play for and should be amped up.
Dean’s Pick: Give me the Dawgs (-19.5). That really is a lot of points, but Matt is a coward here. If Georgia plays like it did these last two weeks Tech can’t beat them. Honestly, the best-case senario for the Jackets is be Ole Miss, but they can’t throw the ball, and UGA has figured out how to protect Carson Beck. That’s not a good combination for Tech.
I expect UGA to score 30-plus. Will Tech score more than 17? I don’t think so. Give me Georgia with a solid win and cover.
Season ATS
Matt | 49-59
Ryan | 48-60
Dean | 52-55