The Georgia Bulldogs have been double-digit favorites a lot in recent years – but Saturday’s challenge is a more serious one than they’re used to, as they tangle with the visiting Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Georgia has trampled the competition in 2019, outscoring Vanderbilt, Murray State and Arkansas State by a combined score of 148-23.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Georgia Bulldogs (Matchup Report)
Date/Time: September 21, 8 p.m. ET
TV Coverage: CBS
Sportsbook Odds: Georgia -10.5 | O/U 58.0 (Line History)
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Bulldogs open this one as 10.5-point favorites, marking the first time the Fighting Irish have received 10 or more points since a 45-27 loss at USC back on November 26, 2016.
Notre Dame News & Notes
The Irish have been a solid underdog option against the spread over the previous six years, having gone 8-4 ATS in that scenario. But more significantly (since Notre Dame hasn’t been an underdog all that often), the Irish have just two covers and one push in their previous seven road games, though they’ve won five consecutive away games straight up.
Their success against the powerhouse Bulldogs will come down to how quarterback Ian Book plays. Book was incredible last time out, throwing for five touchdowns and running in another as the Irish walloped New Mexico 66-14. Book completed nearly 69 percent of his passes with eight TDs and two INTs when facing ranked teams last season.
Georgia News & Notes
The Bulldogs don’t disappoint bettors even when giving away a lot of points – they’re 5-2 ATS in their last seven games as a double-digit favorite, winning all seven of those games outright while limiting teams to fewer than 20 points five times over that span. They’re also 11-4 ATS in their last 15 overall against teams with winning records.
The Bulldogs will almost certainly guard against Book beating them with his arm or his legs – and they’re certainly equipped to do both. They’re limiting opponents to 60.7 rushing yards per game so far this season (the fifth-best rate in the country) and have given up just 182.3 passing yards per contest despite allowing an average of 35 attempts per game.
Betting Pick: Georgia -10.5
While the Fighting Irish are one of the top teams in the country, they’re up against a defense that has allowed 20-plus points in its own building just three times in three years. Take the hosts to cover.
- Georgia is 22-0 SU in its last 22 games at home in September.
- Notre Dame is 5-0 SU in its last 5 road games (avg. winning margin: 17.2).
- The total has gone OVER in 3 of Georgia’s last 4 home games (avg. combined score: 73.5).
