Georgia vs. Michigan Prediction, Odds, Against Spread and Over/Under for College Football Playoff Semifinal

In one of the more improbable upset wins in conference championship week, the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines finally beat the Ohio State Buckeyes. They then followed it up with a decisive victory in the Big Ten Championship vs. Iowa the following week, moving them up and into position for a clear spot in the College Football Playoff.

Now, they are set to face off against the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs in the Orange Bowl on New Year’s Eve. The odds opened with the Bulldogs as 7-point favorites, but that line was quickly bet up to 8 where it currently sits. 

For those looking for a crazy offensive shootout, you will probably prefer the other semifinal game. The 43.5 point total is currently the lowest ever for a college playoff game. Before giving up 41 points to Alabama, Georgia was the No. 1 ranked defense in the nation allowing just 6.9 PPG. But, Nick Saban proved even they can be beaten up on and Michigan is good enough to make a game out of this. 

Here are the odds for the Orange Bowl courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

Georgia vs. Michigan Spread and Over/Under

Spread:

• Georgia: -8.0 (-110) 
• Michigan: +8.0  (-110) 

Moneyline:

• Georgia: -320
• Michigan: +245

Total:

• 43.0 (Over -110/Under -110)

Georgia vs. Michigan Betting Trends

•  The Wolverines lead the nation with a 12-2 record against the spread (ATS).
• The Wolverines are 5-0 ATS in their last five games. 
• The OVER is 12-3 in the Wolverines’ last 15 games against the SEC. 
• The Wolverines are 2-18 straight up (SU) in their last 20 games as an underdog. 
•  The UNDER is 6-3 in the Bulldogs’ last nine games.
• The Bulldogs are 12-1 SU this season. 
• The Bulldogs are 8-5 ATS this season. 
• The UNDER is 6-3 in the Bulldogs’ last nine games as a favorite. 

Georgia vs. Michigan Prediction and Pick

After numerous long seasons at the helm at Michigan, coach Jim Harbaugh finally beat Ohio State, won a Big Ten Championship, and got his team into the playoffs. Had they not, Harbaugh was very close to being shown the door. Now, the team has to rally behind him one more to try and upset one of the best teams in the nation. 

While I am surprised that Georgia lost that badly to Alabama, I don’t think it was entirely a fluke. Georgia earned their No. 1 ranking heading into last weekend but they haven’t really been tested in the way that Alabama did. The Bulldogs played just three ranked teams all year before Bama in, Clemson, Kentucky, and Auburn.

I still think Georgia has one of the best defenses in the nation and the Wolverines will have to play the best offensive game they have played all season; maybe over the last few seasons. Michigan has only played a few ranked teams as well, but passed their last test by beating their “final boss” in Ohio State. Georgia, meanwhile, stumbled in a game they were expected to win. 

It kind of stinks for the Wolverines that they got stuck with the No. 2 seed and weren’t able to face the Bearcats in the semifinals and let 'Bama and Georgia go at it again. It would have been a more fun watch on both sides and a better game for Michigan to reasonably win. I think Georgia comes off that loss looking for redemption and the Wolverines ultimately fall short of their quest toward a CFP title. It will be close, to bet the Wolverines to cover, but close doesn’t win titles.

PICK: Michigan Wolverines +8.0 (-110)