TAXSLAYER BOWL PREVIEW – KENTUCKY vs GEORGIA TECH
GEORGIA TECH 3.5 KENTUCKY (62.5)
MEGALOCKS LINE – G Tech -4 Sagarin ratings – G Tech -7
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: Georgia Tech 33 Kentucky 29.5
The Game
Nothing spices up the holiday season like the TaxSlayer Bowl.
We have a really neat match-up that promises points. Georgia Tech rattled off 3 straight wins to end the regular season including victories over Va Tech and Georgia. They started out slow but still bagged 8 wins. Kentucky is playing in their first bowl game of the Mark Stoops era and finished off their magical regular season with a YUUUUGE win over rival Louisville.
The Match-Up
Georgia Tech offense vs Kentucky defense
This could be the old hot knife though butter scenario. Georgia Tech’s triple option got a lot better as the season went along and they finished up #10 in the FBS in rushing. The team ended up with 6 players crossing the 240 yard mark in rushing and they come at you in waves with fresh bodies. QB Justin Thomas is a threat to run on every play and Marcus Marshall had over 125 yards rushing in two of his final three games. The Yellow Jackets do not MATRICULATE often in the passing game, but when they do, QB Justin Thomas averages 11 yards per attempt.
Kentucky seemingly sees the triple option about once every century so it is going to be interesting to see how they play on defense. Overall, their run defense was pretty horrid during the regular season finishing up ranked #107. Preparation time is crucial when facing Georgia Tech so maybe the Wildcats can perform better than we think. They better improve on 3rd downs (#112 – 45%).
Kentucky offense vs Georgia Tech defense
QB Steven Johnson did a fine job for the Wildcats and really helped spark their offense. Johnson had a 12-6 TD to INT ratio but averaged 8 yards per attempt. MEGALOCKS SEC INSIDERS will have you know that Kentucky had TWO (!) 1,000-yard rushers this season (Boom Williams, B Snell Jr) and they are going to be an absolute handful for the Yellow Jackets.
The Yellow Jackets were decent on defense this season and faced a number of potent attacks. Kentucky falls into that category. Even considering it was a letdown spot, the Wildcats STILL put up 581 yards on Louisville. We are most concerned about the Jackets’ ability to hold on 3rd downs as they are somehow WORSE statistically than the Wildcats (#126 – 50%).
Motivation / Intangibles
Kentucky – They do not get a name opponent BUT this is their first bowl appearance since 2010 (feels longer, yo) and they have not tasty bowl victory since the 2008 Liberty Bowl (E Carolina). GRADE – Very good.
Georgia Tech – Did they win their bowl game vs Georgia ? Hard to say. Get Kentucky. GRADE – Below average.
MEGA BOWL BITES
The over is on a 12-4-1 run in GT non-conference tilts and the over has also been JOOOCY in Kentucky non-conference games going 15-5-1 L21….TREND GUY may break the $1000 button on his computer……Fun fact….Georgia Tech finished strong in the win column but was OUTGAINED in each of their last four games….This is the kind of stuff you cannot find anywhere else #GOLD.
Summary
We do not think the Wildcats are going to have an answer for the triple option. We also know that G Tech is 2-6 ATS L8 bowl games and it seems (could be sample size ?) that teams do well when having additional time to prep for the triple option. The Wildcats running game is also going to do some damage.
Conclusion
Official play: None
Best play on the game: Over 62.5. Would play up to 64.
Underdog ML playable for small potatoes (Y,N) ?: YES