Two contenders in the SEC are set to face off on Saturday in Athens, Georgia as the Oklahoma Sooners visit the Georgia Bulldogs. It is time to continue the NCAA Football odds series with an Oklahoma-Georgia prediction and pick.
Oklahoma comes into the game at 2-1. After a dominating win over UTEP to open the season, Oklahoma's offense faltered against Michigan. They would not score until the second half, but still were in the game. Jordan Marshall scored in the fourth quarter, giving Michigan the lead, as they won 17-10. The Oklahoma offense struggled again against New Mexico. The Sooners managed just 299 yards of offense while turning the ball over three times. The game would remain tight with New Mexico, despite being a heavy favorite. Oklahoma did go on to win 14-6.
Meanwhile, Georgia has been dominant all season. They opened up with a 63-3 victory over Tennessee State before a 70-20 victory over Western Kentucky. Georgia opened up SEC play against Arkansas in Week 3. The Bulldogs racked up 254 yards on the ground, as Chauncey Bowens scored three times, plus one more from Nate Frazier. Georgia took a 45-17 victory over Arkansas.
Georgia and Oklahoma have met only once. It was the 2018 Rose Bowl following the 2017 season. It was a CFP semifinal, and Georgia beat Oklahoma 54-48.
Oklahoma vs. Georgia Odds
Oklahoma: +14 (-110)
Georgia: -14 (-110)
Over: 44.5 (-115)
Under: 44.5 (-105)
Watch Oklahoma-Georgia LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)Oklahoma vs. Georgia Key Injuries
Oklahoma- DT David Stone (Questionable), LB Kip Lewis (Probable), OL Ryan Fodje (Questionable), OL Jake Maikkula (Questionable), WR Parker Livingstone (Questionable)
Georgia- RB Nate Frazier (Probable), C Drew Bobo (Probable), WR Isiah Canion (Questionable), DB Tyriq Green (Questionable), LB Chase Linton (Questionable), DB Justice Fitzpatrick (Questionable), OL Marcus Harrison (Questionable)
Oklahoma vs. Georgia Betting Trends
– Oklahoma is 1-2 against the spread this year, but has yet to be the underdog this year.
Article Continues Below– The Sooners failed to cover in their only road game of the year
– The under has hit in all three games for Oklahoma this year.
– Georgia is 3-0 against the spread, covering a spread of 24 or more each time.
– The over has been the right side for all three Georgia games so far this year.
Keys to Oklahoma vs. Georgia matchup
The key to this game for Oklahoma is going to start on defense. The defense has been stellar this year, allowing just 7.7 points per game and only 215.3 yards per game. The pass defense has been one of the best in the nation as well, while Oklahoma is 35th in the nation against the run. Oklahoma needs to get Georgia in clear passing situations. Gunner Stockton ran well against Arkansas, running for 97 yards, but also faced pressure. He was sacked three times in the contest. Meanwhile, Oklahoma is the best in the nation at getting pressure on the quarterback, ranking first in sack percentage.
On offense, Oklahoma has struggled to get into a rhythm so far this year. They are averaging just 329.7 yards per game. First, they need to avoid obvious third-down passing situations. The Sooners are converting on just 41 percent of their third-down attempts this year and have struggled to protect John Mateer on third downs. Meanwhile, Mateer needs to use his dual-threat ability. The quarterback has run for just 69 yards so far this year and has not scored on the ground. If the Sooners can unlock the big plays Mateer can make with his leg, it will open up the downfield passing game and possibly jumpstart the offense.
Georgia has been one of the best offensive units in the nation this season. They are scoring 57.5 points per game while amassing 478.5 yards of offense per contest. The offense starts with Gunner Stockton. He has attempted just 45 passes this year, but completed 38 of them for 583 yards and nine touchdowns. Further, Stockton has been protected well and sacked just three times while not throwing an interception. Meanwhile, Nate Frazier has been great out of the backfield. He has run for 202 yards and five touchdowns this year. Frazier was beat up in the Arkansas game but is expected to play.
Meanwhile, the defense needs to continue to be dominant against the run. They are sixth in the nation in opponent yards per rush, and ninth in opponent rushing yards per game. Linebackers Chris Cole, AJ Kruah, and Justin Williams have all shown their ability to get into the backfield on the run. Meanwhile, they are also solid at getting pressure on the quarterback and stopping the quarterback from running. If Georgia can stop the run game for Oklahoma, they will force Oklahoma into obvious passing situations, which could create turnovers.
Oklahoma vs. Georgia Prediction and Pick
If Oklahoma is going to have a chance in this game, they are going to need a lot to go their way. First, they are going to need to force some turnovers. With the offense struggling to move the ball, they are going to need short fields to help out. Second, they are going to need to limit possessions for Georgia. Georgia has been explosive on offense this season, and the more chances they get to be on the field, the worse it will be for Oklahoma. They need to sustain long drives, not turn over the ball, and make sure to not come away with empty possessions. That is a lot to ask for a team that has struggled on offense this year. Georgia is a two-touchdown favorite and will cover in this one, on the back of a strong offense.
Final Oklahoma vs. Georgia Prediction and Pick: Georgia -14 (-110) and Over 44.5 (-115)