The Georgia Bulldogs and the Florida State Seminoles meet in college football action from Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday afternoon. It’s the Orange Bowl between the two odd teams out from the college football playoff. Who rights their wrong? Let’s dive in and find out with our Georgia vs. Florida State Prediction.
Georgia Team Preview
The Georgia Bulldogs come into this one with a 12-1 record on the year after losing to Alabama in the SEC championship game 27-24. Carson Beck has thrown for 3,738 yards, 22 touchdowns and 6 interceptions on 72.4% passing while Daijun Edwards has 819 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns to lead UGA and Kendall Milton has 686 rushing yards with 12 TDs. Brock Bowers leads the Bulldogs with 56 receptions for 714 yards and 6 touchdowns but has opted out of this game. Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint has 505 receiving yards while Dominic Lovett has 575 receiving yards and Ladd McConkey’s added 456 receiving yards as well. On defense, Smael Mondon Jr. and Tykee Smith each have a team-high 68 total tackles while Jalon Walker has 5 sacks and Smith has a team-high 4 interceptions this season.
Georgia Bulldogs Team Facts
- Georgia has won each of its last 21 games against non-conference opponents.
- Georgia has covered the spread in four of its last five games against non-conference opponents at neutral venues.
- Georgia has won the first half in 14 of its last 15 games against non-conference opponents.
- Georgia has won the first quarter in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents at neutral venues.
- Five of Georgia’s last six games at neutral venues have gone OVER the total points line.
Florida State Team Preview
The Florida State Seminoles come into this one looking to finish the year unbeaten, winning the ACC title game at 13-0 with a 16-6 win over Louisville last time out. This Florida State team might have gotten hit harder than any team when it comes to the transfer portal and opt-outs, as they already lost starting QB Jordan Travis to a season-ending leg injury, while backup QB Tate Rodemaker entered the portal. Starting RB Trey Benson as well as starting WRs Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman and starting TE Jaheim Bell all opted out of this game for FSU’s offense and for the defense, Jared Verse and Fabien Lovett have opted out on FSU’s defensive front. The Seminole secondary will also be without Akeem Dent, Renardo Green and Jarrion Jones as well.
Florida State Seminoles Team Facts
- Florida State has won each of its last 19 games.
- Florida State has covered the spread in seven of its last eight games as an underdog.
- Florida State has lost the first half in each of its last three games against opponents from the Southeastern Conference.
- Six of Florida State’s last seven games against top-15 AP-ranked teams at neutral venues have gone OVER the total points line.
Georgia vs. Florida State Prediction
I’m backing Georgia here. It’s a massive number for an Orange Bowl game, but the reality is that FSU has been dismantled by the transfer portal and opt-outs, while the losses Georgia suffered for the most part are depth pieces as the key cogs to the offense like starting QB Carson Beck, are returning. That just tells me there’s a big difference in motivation favoring Georgia here, and I think the Bulldogs get it done. Give me Georgia in a beatdown to close out the year.