Georgia Struggles Cover Big Spreads Despite National Title Contender Status

Georgia's football program, under coach Kirby Smart, has been dominant with two national titles and multiple SEC championships, but has struggled to cover betting spreads since 2023, particularly when favored by 20 points or more. Despite winning games, the Bulldogs often find themselves in close contests and have a 0-15-1 against the spread record as big favorites in the regular season since 2022, with notable struggles against teams like Kentucky. This slow-start trend and close games have led to criticism of coaching decisions and execution, with Smart emphasizing the need for better starts and confidence in games against Power 4 opponents. Meanwhile, Georgia Tech is undefeated and contending for the ACC Championship game, but their playoff chances depend on key wins, including a likely loss to Georgia, which could affect their at-large bid prospects. The ACC and College Football Playoff landscape is becoming clearer as teams vie for positioning, with Georgia needing to improve to secure a playoff spot despite one loss already. Overall, Georgia's dominance on the field is contrasted by betting frustrations and a critical need to address slow game starts to maintain their status as a top contender.