This is a massive let down sport for Georgia who is pretty content wrapping up SEC play last week with a big upset over a top 10 Auburn club. Now they have their in-state rival Georgia Tech on deck and have to face the Rajin Cajuns, a hungry team. There are a couple of other things I like in this one when you consider this game has a very low total of 44, and Lafayette very good against the run allowing just 3 yards per carry on the season and they have turned the ball over just 10 times all year. Georgiaâs offense really not capable of putting up a ton of points without their defense scoring.
Georgiaâs offense is really reliant on the running game and that plays into the hands of the strength of this Lafayette team. Lafayette also good in red zone defense while Georgia has struggled in red zone defense and offense. To win by more than 3 TDâs without caring a ton about the game will be a challenge in my opinion. Georgiaâs biggest win all year was South Carolina by 14 points and they only won by 14 because they returned an onside kick for a TD to end the game. I remember that well as I had South Carolina +7.5. What a way to lose! Anyway I really like this spot to fade Georgia who is not having much of a season.
I really like Northwestern in this spot. A big concern was the weather, but as of right now it looks to be just cold with wind dying down in the afternoon when this game kicks off. Northwestern needs 1 win to get to a bowl game and I think theyâll get it here against an over rated Minnesota team that has largely benefited from a weak schedule. Minnesotaâs 7 wins have come against 6 FBS teams who are likely not going to a bowl with a combined record of 19-40. They also faced Indiana State who is 4-7 out of the FCS rankings. They have played the 4 worst teams in the Big Ten in Maryland, Rutgers, Illinois, and Purdue and they have avoided Ohio State, Michigan and Wisconsin. Meanwhile Northwestern has played Ohio State and Wisconsin and Western Michigan in non-conference play.
All in all you still have to play the game, but Northwestern has gotten bigger in recent years in their front 7 on defense which allows them to match up well with Minnesota who actually is banged up on the offensive line coming into this game. Northwestern has really been able to stop one dimensional offenses without a running QB or passing QB. They held Wisconsin to 3.33 ypc, Indiana 3.11, Michigan State 2.22, and Iowa 1.93. They are also the healthier team which really helps and their offense is much more balanced with Justin Jackson out of the backfield and the passing arm of Clayton Thorson who has 10 TDâs to 4 interceptions on the road.
Northwestern has arguably the best receiver in Austin Carr in the Big Ten and they have played well on the road against good teams. Minnesota although they are 7-3 like I mentioned have played a very weak schedule thatâs misleading. Northwesternâs defense has held this Minnesota rushing attack in check the last two years holding them to 74 and 121 rushing yards and I think they can do it again. Minnesota also 0-3 when they donât have a + turnover margin and Northwestern very good at taking care of the ball with only 11 turnovers lost all season long!
