Georgia 2018 Betting Preview: Bulldogs a Good Bet to Win the SEC

Georgia 2018 Betting Odds

• To win the National Title: +825
• To make Playoff: +180
• To win the SEC: +305
• To win the SEC East: -173
• Win Total: 10.5 (over -120, under +100)

All lines as of Aug. 23. Always shop for the best line.

Georgia 2018 Schedule, Betting Odds

The Action Network Projected Wins: 10.4

Bet To Watch

Georgia to win the SEC (+305)

Georgia has cemented its status as a top-tier blue blood in college football.

The negative narrative around Athens is that defensive MVP Roquan Smith and running backs Sony Michel and Nick Chubb are gone. Not to worry, though, as Georgia ranked third and first in recruiting in the past two years.

One of those recruits is Justin Fields, the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in the nation, though incumbent Jake Fromm is expected to keep the job to start the season. He averaged a stellar 9.0 yards per attempt and threw 24 touchdowns to seven interceptions last season.

Make no mistake, this program is the new Alabama. It just wears red and black.

Kirby Smart, a former defensive coordinator at 'Bama, put up terrific advanced metrics in 2017. Georgia ranked in the top 10 against the rush and pass in S&P+, sixth in points allowed per game and fifth in linebacker havoc.

Smart is also a master at making halftime adjustments. Georgia trailed Notre Dame and Oklahoma at the break last year but came back to win.

Georgia went 12-2-1 in the third quarter during 2017. The Bulldogs will continue to be a good team to bet in the second half.

Despite the losses at linebacker and running back, the Bulldogs get one of their most important players back this season — kicker Rodrigo Blankenship.

The goggled booter was one of the most clutch kickers last year and led a special teams unit that ranked second in S&P+.  Blankenship and UGA backers are good for life after he kicked a 51-yard bomb that helped the Bulldogs cover in the national championship game.

Georgia's schedule doesn't have too many hurdles, so it has a clear path to the SEC title game. The Dawgs travel to LSU and host Auburn in their cross-division games, so they were dealt a bit of a break there.

While it's probable that Georgia gets to 11 wins to cash the over, it's just as likely it gets to the SEC title game to face Alabama in Atlanta.

I have 'Bama favored by two points on a neutral site against the Bulldogs, so there's value on Georgia to win the SEC +305.

Smart will not be a dog by more than seven points on a neutral field against anyone, and +305 represents a moneyline greater than what will be offered Dec. 1 in the SEC title game.

What else you need to know about Georgia

Since 2016, the over is 9-1 when Smart coaches against nonconference opponents.

Keep an eye on the total when Georgia plays Austin Peay and Middle Tennessee, as they have dynamic offensive schemes.

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