Georgia Faces Stiff Test Despite 13.5-Point Favorite Status

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Georgia enters Saturday as a 13.5-point favorite to beat Oklahoma, but that line does not mean the job is done. The numbers look good on paper, yet Kirby Smart knows better than to trust them. He sees a defense that plays with a purpose and strikes hard.

Smart Warns of a Violent Defense

The betting line has moved nearly four points since the summer, making Georgia a huge favorite according to reports. Smart does not care about the points spread. He cares about the players on the field. He told reporters on Monday that people do not give enough credit to how these kids play.

“I don’t think people give their, their coaches and their kids enough credit for how they play,” Smart said. He described the Sooners as violent and intelligent. They know what Georgia is trying to do before the play even starts. Smart noted that Oklahoma ranks No. 3 in the nation against the pass. That is not a mistake. It is a fact that changes the game plan.

Injury Report Adds Uncertainty

The Dawg Post released the official availability report, and it shows some key players are in doubt. Nate Frazier, Isiah Canion, and Justice Fitzpatrick are all listed as questionable for Saturday. Three starters are out, including Marcus Harrison and Chase Linton. If these players cannot go, the depth chart takes a hit right before kickoff.

Oklahoma also has its share of injuries, with five players ruled out and two others questionable. David Stone and Jer’Michael Carter are the big names on the Sooners’ side. The rules are strict for these reports. SEC schools face fines up to $100,000 for bad or late reports. This is not a time for mistakes.

History Shows a Tough Road

Smart has been great when his team is favored by double digits. His record stands at 86-3 in those games, with an average score of 40-13. But history is just history. The last time these teams met was the 2018 Rose Bowl, a game Smart called iconic.

“It was an iconic game because of what it meant and what it, like what it led to and where it was played,” Smart said. He also called it a great game. That win happened years ago. The current Oklahoma squad allows only 7.7 points per game. Georgia gives up 13.3 points. The Sooners have the No. 9 overall defense in the country. Smart admitted he is worried about his own team’s preparation.

“I’m worried about us, and I’m worried about how we prepare, and I’m worried about you know, what we can do to make our team better,” Smart said. The odds favor Georgia by 13.5 points, but the defense of Oklahoma makes this a coin flip. Smart knows the gap between a big win and a loss is thin.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos