Georgia did what it had to do. It has a nasty date against a dangerous Georgia Tech team six days after this against UMass, but the win over Tennessee should be enough to earn an at-large spot in the expanded College Football Playoff. But there’s still tune-up work to do even this late in the year.
UMass lost to Liberty 35-34 in very, very painful fashion. Both wins this season were over FCS teams, but now it gets a paycheck game before closing out the season with a home date against UConn. It’s the second game against a Power Four team, losing 45-3 against Missouri a few weeks ago.
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) celebrates with his teammates after scoring touchdown during the second half of a NCAA college football game against Tennessee in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
© Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Georgia vs UMass: How to Watch and Game Preview
Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Game Time: 12:00 pm ET
How To Watch: SEC Network
Venue: Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA
Teams: Georgia (8-2), UMass (2-8)
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- Week 13 Schedule, Predictions
Why UMass Will Win
It's not like the team will be stronger now with head coach Don Brown fired and offensive coordinator Shane Montgomery in for now, but will there be just a wee bit more from the O?
The defense is strong against anyone who likes to throw. (Okay, that’s overselling it a bit, but UMass is fifth in the nation in pass defense.)
And no, it’s not just because everyone gets tired running the ball on the Minutemen. Granted, that’s occasionally the issue, but the UMass D allows teams to connect on just 57% of their passes, Georgia will certainly bring the bare minimum of intensity, and it’s possible this doesn’t open up into any sort of a shootout.
But it’s really more about the running game for Georgia. It didn’t get to 100 yards in the two losses, struggled hard in the battles with Kentucky, Tennessee and Texas, and …
Why Georgia Will Win
UMass can get run over.
Georgia won’t take any major chances here. Run, keep running, and assume UMass will give up about six yards per pop and allow over 200 rushing yards. And about the passing attack, yes, the Minutemen have been been great at stopping teams from throwing, but it got hit for over 200 yards three times.
Once was in the opener against Eastern Michigan, and the other two times were against the SEC teams on the slate, Missouri and Mississippi State, so …
Georgia vs UMass: Who Will Win?
Yeah, Georgia will want to get in, get out healthy, and get working on Georgia Tech to lock in that College Football Playoff spot, but it’s also a chance to get more live action in.
That might seem insane considering it’s late November, but considering Carson Beck is only a game removed from going on an interception spree with 15 over a six-game stretch.
It’ll be a little rocky for a quarter, and the avalanche will come. It’s not Senior Day, but the Dawgs will empty the bench fast in this in case the Georgia Tech game next week is tight late.
Georgia vs UMass Prediction, Betting Lines
Prediction: Georgia 48, UMass 6
Line: Georgia -42.5, o/u: 55.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Must See Rating: 1.5
