Eighth-ranked Cincinnati (9-0 SU, 5-4 ATS) can put the exclamation mark on a perfect season with a victory over SEC powerhouse Georgia (7-2, 4-5) in the Peach Bowl. However, it won’t be easy to shut down a Bulldogs offense that has averaged more than 40 points per game in its last three outings. Georgia opened as a 7-point favorite.
- Date/Time: January 1, 12 noon ET
- Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- TV Coverage: ESPN
- Sportsbook Odds: Georgia -7 | O/U 50.5 (Line History)
- Georgia vs Cincinnati Matchup Report
Peach Bowl Odds Analysis
At the time of writing, neither the side or total had seen any significant movement since the opener. Cincinnati is an underdog for the first time this season, but Georgia has been favored by more than a touchdown in seven of its nine games.
Georgia News & Notes
The Bulldogs offense has been on fire since switching to J.T. Daniels at quarterback in mid-November. The redshirt sophomore has thrown for 839 yards and nine touchdowns in three starts for the Bulldogs, getting intercepted just once during that span. Georgia is averaging more than 40 points a game with Daniels under center after being held under 30 in four of its previous five.
Georgia may need another big game from Daniels to make up for the star power it’s lost on defense. Linebacker Monty Rice and cornerbacks Eric Stokes and D.J. Daniel has opted out for the rest of the season, while defensive lineman Jermaine Johnson has transferred to Florida State. Tight end Tre’ McKitty also won’t suit up for the Bulldogs in the Peach Bowl in order to protect himself for next year’s NFL draft.
The Bulldogs won’t enjoy the usual advantage of playing in a bowl game in their home state, with attendance capped at 25 percent capacity. However, Georgia’s done just fine on neutral fields recently, covering nine of its last 12. The Bulldogs are also 6-1 ATS in their last seven bowl contests.
Cincinnati News & Notes
An unbeaten record didn’t earn Cincy much respect in the closing coaches’ poll, which ranked the Bearcats eighth in the nation after an unimpressive 27-24 win over Tulsa in the AAC championship game. That should leave the Bearcats hungry to prove themselves against a perennial SEC power in the Peach Bowl.
“This conference can compete with anyone in the country,” QB Desmond Ridder told ESPN. “No one in this conference is going to back down from anyone.”
Speaking of Ridder, the dual-threat pivot was red-hot down the stretch and finished the season with 2,090 passing yards, 609 yards on the ground and 29 total touchdowns to earn the AAC Offensive Player of the Year award. However, Ridder may find it a bit harder to run against a Georgia defense that was the best in the FBS against the rush, allowing just 2.3 yards per carry and less than 70 yards per game.
Over the years, the Bearcats have tended to play things a bit closer to the vest when cast in the role of underdog. Cincy is 23-5-1 to the UNDER in its last 29 games when catching points.
Betting Pick: OVER 50.5
Cincinnati’s defense was a top-25 unit this year against both the run and the pass, but the Bearcats haven’t faced many attacks of this quality. Georgia’s defense could also take a step back in this contest with several of its top players sitting out.
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Georgia’s last 7 games.
- Cincinnati is 10-0 SU in its last 10 games.
- Georgia is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 bowl games.
