The Ohio State Buckeyes backdoored their way into the Peach Bowl, but can they spring a surprise on the seemingly unstoppable Georgia Bulldogs? We’ve got all the latest college football betting odds and an Ohio State vs. Georgia prediction for this College Football Playoff semifinal.
Ohio State vs. Georgia Betting Preview
- Spread
Georgia (-6.5) - Moneyline
Georgia (-265), Ohio State (+225) - Over/Under
62.5 points - Game time
8 p.m. ET - Location
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA - Predicted weather
57.9 degrees, slight cloud, 5.8 mph winds - How to watch
ESPN, fuboTV
Do you think you can make some bucks on the Buckeyes? Are the Bulldogs going to bolster your bank account on their way to the College Football National Championship? Let’s examine the Ohio State vs. Georgia odds to see where there’s value to be had.
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The imperious Bulldogs have been the spread favorite in every game this season, but only once previously have they been favored by less than 10 points. That game was against Tennessee, where they covered comfortably. Even against an offense as potent as Ohio State’s, I’m backing Georgia to cover for the eighth time this season.
With both offenses ranking in the top 10 nationally, it’s easy to assume that this will be a high-scoring shootout. Ohio State is also 9-3 covering the over this season. However, Georgia’s defense and their 5-8 record covering the over could contribute to a lower-scoring affair than people might expect in the Peach Bowl.
Prediction for Ohio State vs. Georgia
Georgia’s bid to become the first repeat national champion in the College Football Playoff era begins in the Peach Bowl. Can Kirby Smart’s team overcome arguably their hardest test of the season and advance to SoFi Stadium for the College Football National Championship? Or is Ohio State set to play the ultimate spoiler after their final hour, final four reprieve?
When looking at the Ohio State vs. Georgia prediction, there’s one very obvious matchup that should define the destination of the Peach Bowl. The Buckeyes have the No. 2 ranked scoring offense in the nation this fall, while the Bulldogs have the second-ranked scoring defense in all of college football. Something has to give, but what will it be?
Behind quarterback C.J. Stroud, a wide receiver room containing Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, plus tight end Cade Stover, and a running back rotation that has battled injuries but still found a way to pound the rock, the Buckeyes have averaged 492.7 yards of offense and 44.5 points per game. They’ve converted 75.86% of their red-zone opportunities into a touchdown.
Although the Buckeyes have the potential to inflict damage in a multitude of ways, Georgia’s defense should have the answers to nullify their explosiveness. They might not have the same depth of stars as last season’s title-winning defense, but Jalen Carter leads a talented cast from the front, while their secondary boasts Kelee Ringo and freshman standout Malaki Starks.
The result has been a defense that has been one of the best in the nation once again. Although they’ve given up 215.1 yards per game through the air, Georgia has allowed just 11 passing touchdowns this year. They will be tested against Ohio State’s receiving group, but there’s every reason to believe they can stand firm in the same way Michigan and Notre Dame did.
If they stymie the passing game, can Ohio State run on the Bulldogs? They can try, but Georgia’s rushing defense ranks first in the nation, allowing just 76.92 yards per game and a miserly five touchdowns through the entire 2022 CFB season.
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Whether through the air or on the ground, the Bulldogs have allowed just 32.14% of red-zone opportunities to be converted into touchdowns this season. Although the combination of Stroud and Harrison is unlike anything they’ve faced before this year, the advantage in the marquee matchup of the game definitely lies with the reigning national champion Bulldogs.
On the flip side, how does the Ohio State defense measure up to the Georgia offense? The Buckeyes are a much-improved unit defensively compared to last season. Zach Harrison, Jack Sawyer, and JT Tuimoloau form a formidable pass-rushing trio. Tommy Eichenberg has been a tackling machine alongside Steele Chambers, and they’ve had better play from the secondary.
As a result, Ohio State’s allowed just 19.2 points per game compared to 22.8 points a year ago. The Buckeyes’ defense, under new coordinator Jim Knowles, ranks in the top 25 across a plethora of defensive metrics. However, they were brutally exposed in the fourth quarter against Michigan and gave up 30+ points to both Maryland and Penn State this season.
Georgia’s offense might not be as explosive as Ohio State’s, nor does it have the star names that the Buckeyes boast, but they’ve managed to score 39.2 points per game on their way to an undefeated regular season.
Love him, loathe him, simply don’t understand him, no matter your take on Stetson Bennett, the former walk-on has efficiently operated this Georgia offense for two consecutive seasons. Bennett and leading wide receiver Ladd McConkey make an unlikely combination to be leading the charge toward another national title, but it works.
Having a go-to weapon like Brock Bowers and an exceptional offensive line featuring future NFL talent Broderick Jones, Warren McClendon, and Sedrick Van Pran certainly helps. The Bulldogs can win the battle in the trenches here, and whether behind Bennett or the ground game, Georgia should take care of business in the Peach Bowl and advance to SoFi Stadium.
Prediction: Georgia 30, Ohio State 23
