Georgia worth backing at home as double-digit favorite vs. Vols
Junior quarterback Aaron Murray gets most of the headlines for Georgia, but now its defense shares the spotlight.
The Southeastern Conference's top passers duel today as the Bulldogs host Tennessee and Tyler Bray.
Despite not being at full strength, Georgia is 4-0 with double-digit victories over Buffalo, Missouri, Florida Atlantic and Vanderbilt. The Bulldogs welcome back two defensive starters - all-conference safety Bacarri Rambo and linebacker Alec Ogletree - who served four-game suspensions.
The Volunteers are playing their first true road game, and in coach Derek Dooley's three seasons, they are 2-4 against the spread as road underdogs.
Bray, who leads the SEC with 12 touchdown passes, could have some success early, but it's doubtful he can keep pace with Murray and the Bulldogs for 60 minutes.
Georgia is averaging an SEC-best 47.5 points thanks to the stellar play of Murray, who has 10 touchdown passes and only two interceptions. Freshman running back Todd Gurley has emerged as a force, leading the conference in rushing yards (406) with a 9.2 yards-per-carry average.
In its SEC opener, Tennessee allowed Florida to explode for 37 points and 555 total yards. The Volunteers also gave up 26 points in a noncovering victory over Akron last week.
Georgia is 9-5 ATS in its past 14 games as a home favorite. Look for the Bulldogs to create separation in the third quarter and pull away to win by three touchdowns. Lay the 14 points with the home favorite.
Three more plays for today (home team in CAPS):
■ Toledo (+1½) over WESTERN MICHIGAN - With three-year starting quarterback Alex Carder sidelined with a hand injury, the Broncos will be without their best player and emotional leader.
The Rockets covered the spread in both of their previous road games, against Arizona and Wyoming. They are getting remarkable production from Terrance Owens, who has nine touchdown passes without an interception. For his career, he has a 40-to-8 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Toledo should win behind another quality performance from Owens.
■ Wisconsin (+12) over NEBRASKA - Badgers coach Bret Bielema's team has been a major disappointment, but it goes into its Big Ten opener with a 3-1 record and a chance to get the season moving in the right direction.
Even with Wisconsin star running back Montee Ball not being 100 percent, backup James White can fill in effectively. Back the Badgers catching the double-digit number.
■ Western Kentucky (-2½) over ARKANSAS STATE - The Hilltoppers are one of only five teams with a 4-0 ATS record. They won at Kentucky two weeks ago before hammering Southern Mississippi, 42-13. Western Kentucky is getting excellent quarterback play from senior Kawaun Jakes, who has completed 70.2 percent of his passes for 806 yards with an 8-to-3 TD-to-interception ratio.
Last week: 2-2 against the spread
Season: 13-6
Brian Edwards of VegasInsider.com and BrianEdwardsSports.com is providing college football analysis for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
