Sugar Bowls Has Makings of Great Game
The Texas Longhorns and the Georgia Bulldogs meet at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Tuesday night. They are playing in the 2019 Allstate Sugar Bowl. This game has all the makings to be one of the best bowl games of the year if Georgia isn’t hung over from being left out of the College Football Playoff.
TV: 8:45 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Georgia -11.5; O/U: 59.
Sixth-ranked Georgia faces No. 14 Texas in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1st. For the Bulldogs the challenge of facing the Longhorns is one of several hurdles they must overcome. Last season’s national runner-up would have made the College Football Playoff if it had not blown a fourth-quarter lead in losing to No. 1 Alabama in the SEC championship game. Defensive coordinator Mel Tucker left to take the head coaching job at Colorado. Highly touted freshman quarterback Justin Fields intends to transfer after the game.
The Longhorns have enjoyed a reawakening in Tom Herman’s second season at the helm. The team has won more games since a nine-win season in 2012. They are back in a high-profile bowl game for the first time since losing the BCS championship in 2009. Texas shook off an upset loss to Maryland in the season opener. They finished 6-3 in games decided by one possession and defeated four ranked teams.
Both quarterbacks look to cap off stellar seasons with a Sugar Bowl victory. Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger is recovering from an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder. He threw for 25 touchdowns and five interceptions this season. He also rushed for 13 touchdowns and has accumulated 5,038 passing yards in two seasons. Jake Fromm, of the Bulldogs, completed 68.4 percent of his passes for 2,537 yards and 27 touchdowns. He only had five interceptions. His play down the stretch limited opportunities for Fields. Both signal callers are sophomores, so fans will get to see a lot more of these talented underclassmen down the line.
This, That, and a Dart Throw
The Texas Longhorns were 9-4 overall and 7-2 in the Big 12 during the regular season. Ehlinger has two big-time targets in wide receivers Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Collin Johnson. The duo has combined for 144 receptions, 2.054 yards and 16 touchdowns. That makes the Longhorns one of only seven teams to have two receivers with 65-plus receptions. A healthy offensive line has helped Texas average 31.3 points per game. Lineman have missed only three combined games this season. Defensive end Charles Omenihu earned Big 12 defensive lineman of the year honors after leading the conference with 9.5 sacks.
The Georgia Bulldogs were 11-2 overall and 7-1 in the SEC during the regular season. The Bulldogs average 39.2 points and feature the nation’s 12th-best rushing attack. They pound out 251.6 yards per game. They are led D’Andre Swift who has 1,037 yards and 10 touchdowns and Elijah Holyfield has 956 yards with seven scores. Defensively, Georgia has allowed only 19.3 points per game. They are led by All-American defensive back Deandre Baker and his 40 tackles, two interceptions and 10 pass breakups. Kicker Rodrigo Blankenship is one of the nation’s most consistent kickers. He hit 19-of-23 field goals while recording 79 touchbacks on 93 kickoffs.
PREDICTION: Georgia 37, Texas 24
Sugar Bowl Trends
Georgia Bulldogs Trends
- Trend Over is 3-0-1 in Bulldogs last 4 games as an underdog of 10.5 or greater. Hit % 100.00% (4) O/U 3|0 Push 1 W/L
- Under is 7-1 in Bulldogs last 8 bowl games as a favorite of 3.5-10.0. 87.50% (8) 1|7 0
- Over is 5-1 in Bulldogs last 6 neutral site games as an underdog of 0.5-3.0. 83.30% (6) 5|1 0
- Under is 10-1-1 in Bulldogs last 12 neutral site games as a favorite of 3.5-10.0. 90.90% (12) 1|10 1
Texas Longhorns Trends
- Trend Under is 8-2 in Longhorns last 10 games as an underdog of 10.5 or greater. Hit % 80.00% (10) O/U 3|0 Push 1 W/L
- Under is 5-1 in Longhorns last 6 neutral site games as a favorite. 83.30% (6) 1|5 0
- Under is 4-1 in Longhorns last 5 neutral site games as an underdog of 3.5-10.0. 80.00% (5) 1|4 0
- Under is 5-1 in Longhorns last 6 games as an underdog of 3.5-10.0. 83.30% (6) 1|5 0
Get a 50% Signup Bonus up to $1,000 at BetOnline Sportsbook!!!