College Football Betting Odds – Georgia Over/Under Wins

It’s been an interesting offseason down at Georgia, where the first time in a long time, head coach Mark Richt is coming under fire.

As the Georgia Bulldogs get set to open their 2010 season in less than a month, what do you need to know, as you evaluate them in the college football betting odds?

Georgia- Over 8 ½ Regular Season Wins (-145) or Under 8 ½ Regular Season Wins (+115):

While most previews start with offense, we’ll start on the defensive side of the ball with Georgia, since, quite frankly, they were awful there last year. They finished last season allowing 26.4 points per game, ranking them 70th in college football.

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Enter new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and his 3-4 defense. Grantham spent last season with the Dallas Cowboys, but was brought to Athens this offseason to re-energize this defense.

It won’t be easy, as this group returns just five starters off a unit which gave up 30 or more points five times in 2009. The key could be on the defensive line, where the Bulldogs must find three new starters. Senior linebackers Akeem Dent and Darryl Gamble return.

As for this offense, it was hardly spectacular last season, but there are quietly signs of life. The line returns all five starters from last year’s group, and that doesn’t even include Trinton Sturdivant. Sturdivant is an All-SEC caliber tackle, who has missed most of the last two seasons with knee injuries.

At the skill positions, Georgia isn’t particularly deep, but is explosive. Their best player is arguably the best wide receiver in the country, junior A.J. Green. Green finished 2009 with 53 receptions, despite missing three games with injury. Keeping him on the field will be a key. At running back, Washaun Ealey emerged late, rushing for 717 yards, despite not playing in the first four games.

Of course none of this talent will matter if the quarterback play isn’t better than last year. Gone is senior Joe Cox, who was talented but mistake prone (24 touchdowns, 15 interceptions). Aaron Murray will be under center, after redshirting last year. Murray is athletic and skilled, but lacks any semblance of game experience. Not good in the SEC.

Remember too, that when evaluating whether Georgia will go over or under 8 ½ wins in the college football betting odds, we need to look at their schedule. At first glance, it appears to be manageable.

The SEC East is not nearly the juggernaut it usually is, as Tennessee and Vanderbilt are a bit down this year, and even super-power Florida has a lot of unanswered questions as well. Only South Carolina is expected to be improved. From the SEC West, Georgia must visit Mississippi State and Auburn, while hosting Arkansas. None are easy wins.

And it’s because of those tough road games and the uncertainty at quarterback that the only play here is to take Georgia UNDER 8 ½ wins.

While this defense will be mentally tougher under Grantham, it’s hard to see them improved, with a lot of newcomers getting more playing time. Offensively, the Bulldogs ranked just 75th in total yards. The talent is there to be better, but is Murray ready under center?

Georgia may have finished last year 8-5 in the record book, but they were just 5-8 ATS, making them a headache for bettors all season long. Look for them to have a similar record in 2010, but to go UNDER the regular season win total of 8 ½ games in the college football betting odds.

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The Pick: Georgia UNDER 8 ½ Regular Season Wins (+115)

Sources: Covers.com, ESPN.com