NCAA Football Odds: No 5 Boise State Broncos vs No 19 Georgia Bulldogs
Saturday, September 03, 2011
by Bodog Sportsbook
Probably the second-most anticipated game of college football’s opening weekend is tonight at the Georgia Dome when BCS buster and No. 5 Boise State Broncos plays No. 19 Georgia Bulldogs in essentially a home game for the Dawgs in Atlanta. Boise State opened as a 3.5-point favorite on Bodog Sportsbook’s NCAA Football Odds.
The Boise State Broncos have no margin for error if they hope to play in the national title game or even a BCS bowl – they pretty much have to go unbeaten. Last year only lost in overtime at Nevada and that dropped Boise State from the national title conversation all the way to the lower-tier Las Vegas Bowl. The Broncos bring back quarterback Kellen Moore, a Heisman Trophy candidate, and stud tailback Doug Martin. Moore will likely become the NCAA’s all-time winningest quarterback this season.
But the Broncos must replace record-setting receivers Austin Pettis and Titus Young, and they'll be without former offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin, who left for Texas. That offense ranked No. 2 in the nation in points per game last year. Boise’s defense was No. 2 in points allowed per game.
Meanwhile, Georgia Bulldogs coach Mark Richt might be on the hot seat this season off the Bulldogs’ dismal 6-7 finish last year. It was Richt’s first losing season. One bright spot was the play of freshman QB Aaron Murray, who is the top returning QB in the SEC this year. Last year Murray threw for 3,049 yards (second in SEC history by a freshman) and 24 touchdowns.
The Bulldogs hope that freshman tailback Isaiah Crowell, the nation’s top RB recruit this year, can boost their running game, which was inconsistent last season. Georgia is just 2-8 in its past 10 games vs. ranked teams.
This will mark the second consecutive season that Boise State opens at a neutral site against a southern power. Last year, the Broncos defeated Virginia Tech at FedEx Field, home of the Washington Redskins.
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aaron murray - austin pettis - bcs bowl - boise state broncos - bryan harsin - doug martin - georgia bulldogs - georgia dome - heisman trophy - isaiah crowell
