2022 Peach Bowl – Ohio St vs Georgia
posted December 30
The Game
It feels appropriate that we’re ending the 2022 calendar year with arguably the most intriguing semi-final match-up of the CFP era as Ohio St battles Georgia in the Peach Bowl! The Bulldogs have looked darn good in their quest for back-to-back National Championships and sit at 13-0 after taking care of LSU in the SEC title game (W 50-30). The last time we saw the Buckeyes in action they were getting drilled by Michigan at home BUT they’ve got a shot to redeem themselves on the biggest stage. Let’s gooooo !
The Details
Georgia -6 Ohio St (62)
MEGALOCKS LINE – Georgia -6
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: Georgia 34 Ohio St 28
Georgia offense vs Ohio St defense
The Bulldogs have been a lethal (39 PPG, #10 FBS) and balanced operation (#17 rush, #18 pass) this season thanks to solid QB play from S Bennett (68%, 20-6 TD to INT) and a ridiculously deep group of running backs. The WR unit is fairly pedestrian but they’ve got one of the best TE rooms in college football history that features match-up nightmare B Bowers. Georgia’s offensive line has been excellent paving the way for 5.5 YPC whilst allowing a mere 7 sacks in 13G. Ohio St has made strides on defense this season (#25 run D, #44 pass efficiency D) but they haven’t faced many decent offenses and they were exposed vs Michigan in terms of giving up big plays. Was that a fluke, or a HARBINGER of things to come?
Ohio St offense vs Georgia defense
Ohio St has also been impressive on offense (#27 rush, #14 pass) thanks to the golden arm of QB CJ Stroud (37-6 TD to INT) who’s had another fine season. The Buckeyes boast a pair of 1,000-yard receivers (Harrison, Egbuka) and a dangerous receiving TE in C Stover that’ll give Georgia some issues. However, it’s worth noting that the Buckeyes WRs had trouble getting open vs the Michigan secondary and the Bulldogs are very talented on the back-end. Ohio St is deep at RB but you can almost forget about running vs Georgia (#1 FBS run D, 77 YPG). Georgia doesn’t feature a lethal pass rush but they started to get in gear later in the regular season.
Trends, Intangibles, and More!
Georgia HC Kirby Smart is 6-2 in bowl action and the Bulldogs haven’t dropped a postseason game since the 2018 Sugar Bowl when they were upset by Texas…….Ohio St HC Ryan Day is 2-2 in bowl games and the Buckeyes have allowed 45,52,28,29 points in their L4 bowl/CFP appearances……It’s a “neutral” field but it probably helps that Georgia is more familiar with the surroundings…..maybe.
Summary
Ohio St just doesn’t have a sparkling record under HC Ryan Day when it comes to big games. And it’s not like CJ Stroud has been great when facing tough competition. This is the best defense Ohio St has faced all year and their defense lacks star power. We lean to the favorite at this price but can’t recommend a biggie size wager at anything higher than -4, and here we are.
Conclusion
Lean – Georgia -6
Note:
‘Official play’ implies we have played the game for our standard wager amount.
‘Lean’ implies we are comfortable suggesting ‘small potatoes’ on the game if you want to get down on some sweet action.
‘No leanage’ implies we won’t be involved in the game from a betting standpoint. In-game wagering possibilities only.