2021 Orange Bowl Over-Under Preview & Pick

The last college football game of 2021 will be the second College Football Playoff semifinal. The Michigan Wolverines finally won the Big Ten under Jim Harbaugh, and they will face the Georgia Bulldogs in the Orange Bowl. The winner of this game will get the chance to wipe away decades of frustration in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

The 2021 Orange Bowl will take place on Friday, December 31, 2021, and pit the Georgia Bulldogs against the Michigan Wolverines at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. This game will take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

College Football Betting Odds

Georgia -7.5

Michigan +7.5

Total 45.5

Georgia was the No. 1 team in the country for most of the season. The Bulldogs went 12-0 in the regular season, and the only team to stay within 17 points was Clemson in the season opener. They carved a swath through the SEC, but Alabama dominated the Bulldogs in the SEC Championship Game to put them in the Orange Bowl.

It was a fabulous season for Michigan. The Wolverines lost to in-state rival Michigan State, but they were able to hammer both Wisconsin and Ohio State to play in the Big Ten Championship Game. They absolutely dismantled Iowa in a 42-3 rout to win their first Big Ten title in 17 years.

When Georgia Has the Ball

The Bulldogs want to keep the ball on the ground as much as possible. They are averaging 5.3 YPC as a team, and their four leading rushers (Zamir White, James Cook, Kenny McIntosh, and Stetson Bennett) are all averaging at least 5.3 YPC. This offensive line is elite, but there are major concerns at quarterback.

This program’s inability to develop a quarterback has been a big issue. Walk-on Stetson Bennett has been the starter for most of the season with J.T. Daniels occasionally coming into play in his stead. Bennett is completing 64.1% of his passes for 10.1 YPA with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions, but his ceiling is very limited against quality defenses.

Michigan ranks third in scoring defense (16.1 PPG) and 10^th in total defense (315.8 YPG). The Wolverines have a phenomenal pass rush as Aidan Hutchinson might be the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft after recording a team-record 14 sacks. David Ojabo recorded 11 sacks for the Wolverines too.

When Michigan Has the Ball

Cade McNamara is completing 64.6% of his passes for 2,470 yards (8.0 YPA) with 15 touchdowns and four interceptions. McNamara has done a solid job running this offense, and J.J. McCarthy occasionally comes in to provide a spark off the bench.

Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum were one of the top running back tandems in the country. Haskins has run for 1,288 yards (4.9 YPC) and 20 touchdowns, while Corum has run for 939 yards (6.7 YPC) and 11 scores.

Georgia has the best defense in the country. The Bulldogs rank first in scoring defense (9.8 PPG) and second in total defense (265.1 YPG). Jordan Davis is a monster in the middle of the defensive line, and Nakobe Dean is one of the best linebackers in the country.

Prediction

The under is the best bet in this game. These offenses both try to keep the ball on the ground, and the opposing defenses should be able to limit their production.

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