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The top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs (1-0) welcome the Ball State Cardinals (0-1) to Sanford Stadium Saturday. Kickoff is set for noon ET (SEC Network). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Ball State vs. Georgia odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
Georgia, as expected, steamrolled the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks 48-7 last Saturday. QB Carson Beck has taken over the quarterback duties and threw for 294 yards and a TD while RB Kendall Milton led the way with 53 rushing yards. Georgia took a 31-0 lead into the 4th quarter, but failed to cover as a 50-point favorite. Georgia is No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports U.S. LBM Coaches Poll.
Ball State lost to the Kentucky Wildcats, a team on the edge of the top 25. The Cardinals were up 7-3 at the end of the 1st quarter, but were down 23-7 at half and lost 44-14. QB Kadin Semonza ended the game with 165 yards and a TD as the Mid-American Conference team failed to cover as a 25-point underdog.
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Ball State at Georgia odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 10:41 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Off the board
- Against the spread (ATS): Ball State +42.5 (-110) | Georgia -42.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 52.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Ball State at Georgia picks and predictions
Prediction
Georgia 45, Ball State 10
Moneyline
PASS.
This is a lopsided matchup, and there are no moneyline odds as they would be heavily favoring the home side. Even if you can find them, there’s no reason to bet anything on the moneyline here.
Against the spread
BET BALL STATE +42.5 (-110).
The Cardinals put up a fight against Kentucky, and true freshman Semonza played well. He is technically the backup to graduate transfer QB Layne Hatcher, who also didn’t throw an interception against the Wildcats.
Georgia will have a stark advantage in the trenches, as did Kentucky. However, the lack of turnovers from the Cardinals against a strong Wildcats defense was paramount to keeping it close in the 1st half, and that should help them cover Saturday.
Ball State was able to hold its own for a bit, and Georgia also took off the gas on UT-Martin and sailed into the victory. The Bulldogs’ lack of desire to put it on UT-Martin coupled with the Cardinals’ quality first half makes Ball State the better option here.
Expect the same here and for Georgia to struggle to cover a 6-score spread. Back BALL STATE +42.5 (-110).
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 52.5 (-110).
The Cardinals put up 14 points on Kentucky and allowed 44. The Wildcats offense also didn’t perform well until the 2nd quarter, scoring 41 in the final 45 minutes. Ball State’s defense may struggle to keep up with Georgia’s offense. The Over 49 hit in that matchup.
For Georgia, it started slow as well, scoring just 17 points in the 1st half and 31 in the 2nd. The Bulldogs should be more warmed up early on in this matchup and come out aggressive. Georgia went Under 56.5 in that matchup but will get a lower total here against a team that allowed 44 to Kentucky.
Expect Georgia to come out hot and take OVER 52.5 (-110).
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