Handicappers looking to bet college football action with the Southeastern Conference will have an intriguing matchup of two desperate teams as Mississippi State hosts Georgia.
Kickoff Saturday is scheduled for 7:05 PM Eastern and Sbg global.com opened with the game as a pick’em and an over/under of 47. The game will be broadcast on FSN.
Richt Catching Heat
After an offseason that featured a team rap sheet that would make Tony Soprano blush the Georgia Bulldogs have stumbled out of the gate with 2 losses in their first 3 games. Last week Georgia failed to get the money in a heart breaking 31-24home loss to Arkansas as 1.5-point NCAA betting favorites. The Bulldogs rallied to tie the game at 24-24 after entering the 4th quarter down 24-10. But Arkansas’ Ryan Mallett connected with Greg Childs for a 40-yard touchdown pass with 15 seconds remaining. Richt has been protected by a pristine image but his seat is getting warmer as Georgia has dropped in stature beneath Florida, Alabama, and LSU in the SEC.
Mississippi State Struggles in SEC
After a 49-7 blowout win in their opening game against Memphis State as 21.5-point favorites Mississippi State has been a losing team to bet college football with as they have failed to cover in SEC games against Auburn and LSU. Last week the Bulldogs offense was inept in a 29-7 loss as 7.5-point road dogs against LSU as quarterbacks Tyler Russell and Chris Relf combined to toss 5 interceptions. While Mississippi State is showing improvement under head coach Dan Mullen they are also showing a lack of depth to compete consistently in the SEC.
Do or Die
This game is critical for both teams but especially Richt and Georgia as they began the season ranked but now must go “all in” to stop the negative vibes surrounding the program.
Trends
Georgia has had a disturbing tendency to play down to their level of competition and has covered just 2 out of their last 9 games against teams with a losing record. UGA has lost 10 out of their last 14 games against the line when coming off a straight up loss and has paid out in just 8 out of their last 25 games overall. These two teams have not met since 2006 and Mississippi State got the cash in the last two head to head meetings.