College Football Odds: SEC Week 12 picks against the spread

Nov 14, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Sony Michel (1) runs the ball past Auburn Tigers defense during the second quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

• Date: Saturday November 21, 2015
• Time: 7PM Eastern
• Location: Athens, GA
• TV Channel: ESPNU
• Spread: Georgia -14
• Over/Under Total: 50.5

It wasn’t the mega-matchup many expected in the preseason, but the Georgia Bulldogs picked up a huge SEC road victory last week over Auburn that helped calm some of the panic in Athens during a largely disappointing campaign. Now with the SEC schedule out of the way, the Bulldogs are set to play a pair of in-state non-conference rivals over the next two weeks.

First up is Georgia Southern, who won the Sun Belt Conference last season in its first year as an FBS program. Riding a powerful rushing attack that averages 379.0 yards on the ground, the Eagles are currently in second place in the league with a 5-1 conference mark. GSU’s only conference loss came against Appalachian State, and the Eagles are 7-2 overall. However, Georgia Southern’s only game against a Power Five opponent was a 44-0 blowout loss against West Virginia in the season opener.

The Bulldogs have allowed just 302.3 total yards per game this season, which ranks tenth in the nation, and hold a huge edge in talent over the Eagles. However, opponents have gained 139.6 rushing yards (which ranks No. 36 overall) against a relatively small Georgia front seven, so Georgia Southern is certainly capable of success on the ground.

And speaking of success in the rushing game, Georgia’s Sony Michel (795 rushing yards, 5 TD) and Keith Marshall (255 rushing yards, 3 TD) are very capable of carrying the load offensively for a Bulldogs’ unit that has struggled with consistency this season. Expect the Dawgs do do enough to win – and to cover.

Next: Tennessee at Missouri