Georgia vs. Ohio State is a game I have wanted to see for several years, particularly after quarterback Justin Fields transferred from Georgia to Ohio State. Now, the Bulldogs and Buckeyes will play for a spot in the National Championship in Saturday's Peach Bowl.
Given how both of these programs recruit, a matchup of this magnitude was inevitable.
From 2018-22, Georgia landed a top-five recruiting class every year, according to the 247Sports composite. Ohio State landed a top-five recruiting class in four of those five years with 2019 being the lone exception (14th). As a result, we get a matchup of two of college football’s most talented teams, according to 247Sports' team talent composite.
With so much talent on the field, there could be a lot of points on the board, and FanDuel has the total set at 62.5 points. That also makes it a fun game to craft a same game parlay. Here's what I have in mind:
Parlay Odds (+817) via FanDuel
- Georgia ML (-245)
- CJ Stroud Over 282.5 Passing Yards (-114)
- Marvin Harrison Jr. Over 88.5 Receiving Yards (-114)
- Kenny McIntosh Over 57.5 Rushing Yards (-114)
- Brock Bowers Anytime TD (-150)
Georgia ML -245
After Ohio State lost to Michigan in November 2021, it heard for an entire offseason about how it was not tough or physical enough.
So, Ohio State spent much of the 2022 season trying to prove its toughness — at times to the detriment of the flow of its offense. This season, Michigan ran through Ohio State again, this time in Columbus. Again, the Buckeyes’ toughness has been questioned.
Now, Ohio State must deal with the physicality of Georgia … in Atlanta. Consider me skeptical in thinking the Buckeyes will be up to the task.
I expect Georgia to control this game in the trenches. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter will lead the effort defensively. He will also be looking to make a statement to NFL scouts in a prime matchup against another potential top-10 pick in Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud.
Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett has been unflappable in big games dating back to last season. Playing behind Georgia’s offensive line does help, as he has only been sacked seven times. The Dawgs' offensive line should also lead the way in the running game, which I will touch on a bit more in a bit.
CJ Stroud Over 282.5 Passing Yards
The Peach Bowl will be Ohio State’s first game in five weeks. The long layoff in between bowl games can sometimes hurt teams that rely on throwing the ball. A slow start from Stroud could help Georgia gain a lead, which means he will have to throw even more
Either way, the attempts should be there. Stroud threw the ball 29.5 times per game this season. However, in Stroud’s three losses as a starting quarterback, he averaged 50.3 attempts. If he throws the ball 50 times, I would expect him to throw for 300 yards.
Stroud has 14 300-yard passing games over the last two seasons. This season, he averaged 278.3 passing yards per game. In five games against teams around the top 30 in scoring defense (Notre Dame ranked 31st), Stroud averaged 298.6 passing yards per game.
Georgia ranked second nationally in scoring defense but 49th in passing yards per game. Over their last six games, the Bulldogs have allowed 275 passing yards per game. A lot of that damage came in the SEC Championship when LSU threw for 502 yards. The Tigers trailed for much of that game and threw the ball 52 times.
Throwing the ball will give Ohio State its best chance at winning, particularly factoring in Stroud’s weapons.
Marvin Harrison Jr. Over 88.5 Receiving Yards
Ohio State will not have Jaxon Smith-Njigba for the Peach Bowl, but Stroud will still have Marvin Harrison Jr.
Harrison would have been my pick for the Biletnikoff Award after turning in a breakout season as a redshirt sophomore. Harrison has hauled in 72 passes for 1,157 yards and 12 touchdowns. He's averaging 96.4 yards per game and has five 100-yard games this season.
Harrison's biggest games this season coincides with Stroud’s. Harrison recorded 185 yards against Penn State and 120 against Michigan.
He figures to see a heavy dose of Georgia cornerback Kelee Ringo in a matchup of future first-round picks. However, Georgia has allowed at least one opposing receiver (nine total) record 60 yards in each of the past six games. Four receivers have gone over 100 yards in that span.
If Stroud throws for 300 yards, Harrison likely had a lot to do with it.
Kenny McIntosh Over 57.5 Rushing Yards
Georgia ranks 17th in the FBS with 207 rushing yards per game. The Bulldogs use a committee and boast three backs with over 500 yards.
The leader of that group is Kenny McIntosh. The junior ran for 709 yards this season, averaging 5.2 yards per carry and 54.5 yards per game.
McIntosh received double-digit carries in seven games this season, including in each of his past six games. When recording double-digit carries this season, McIntosh has run for 50 yards six times and 58 yards four times. That includes games of 90, 143 and 86.
Ohio State allows about 120 rushing yards per game but gave up 252 rushing yards to Michigan. I expect Georgia to also have success running the ball on Ohio State, and McIntosh will be the main beneficiary.
Brock Bowers Anytime TD (-150)
Ohio State has allowed a touchdown pass to a tight end in each of its past three games (Indiana, Maryland, Michigan). Against Georgia, it will have to deal with one of the nation’s deepest tight end groups.
That includes the nation’s best tight end, Brock Bowers.
The sophomore led Georgia with 52 catches for 726 yards and six touchdowns this season after tallying 56 receptions for 882 yards and 13 scores last season.
While his touchdown production is down this season, he has scored in three of his past four games. He also has accounted for 25% of Georgia’s touchdown receptions this season.
When Georgia gets in the RedZone, expect Bennett to look Bowers’ way.
