The Georgia Bulldogs were nine-point favorites over the Nebraska Cornhuskers on the early Gator Bowl odds menu, as bettors seem to be preferring SEC strength over Big Ten strength in this one. Nebraska posted a 5-3 SU record in the Big Ten, but that is only enough to keep them within nine points on the Gator Bowl odds menu, according to OddsShark.com.
The Cornhuskers (Big Ten, 8-4 SU, 6-6 ATS, 6-6 OU) finished their regular season with losses to Michigan State and Iowa wrapped around a tight 23-20 overtime win over Penn State as 1-point road underdogs. They went 3-1 ATS on the road this year, with the total staying UNDER in three of those four games.
Running the ball was the Cornhuskers' primary strength on offense. Ameer Abdullah rushed for 1,568 yards on 254 attempts for an average of 6.2 yards a carry. Imani Cross added another 445 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. Quincy Enunwa was the team's leading receiver with 624 yards and 10 scores. Nebraska allowed an average of 25.3 points a game on defense, but that number ballooned to 38.5 points in its four losses.
Georgia (SEC, 8-4 SU, 3-7-2 ATS, 9-3 OU) was positioned for a deep run in the SEC this season but a rash of devastating injuries ended those plans. The Bulldogs finished with a 5-3 SU record in conference play behind both South Carolina and Missouri in the East Division.
The Bulldogs were just 2-7-1 ATS in their final 10 games, but they did cover in their last two games of the year. The total went OVER in their final three outings, according to the Gator Bowl wagering preview.
When quarterback Aaron Murray was lost for the season, Hutson Mason took over and threw for 648 yards and four touchdowns in three starts. Todd Gurley anchored the running game with 903 yards on 144 carries, and led the team with 10 touchdowns.
The Bulldogs' defense was torched for 41 points in a loss to Missouri, and gave up 43 points to Auburn. Georgia allowed 29.4 points per game, which was ranked 82nd among FBS teams.
The total was set at 60.5 at Bovada last week.
These two played one another last season in the Capital One Bowl with the Bulldogs coming away with a 45-31 victory as 9.5-point favorites. The total went well OVER the 62-point closing line.
Georgia is now 6-2 ATS in its last eight bowl games according to the Gator Bowl betting history and the total has actually stayed UNDER in 10 of the Cornhuskers' last 12 bowls.
Computer Prediction: Georgia 37-36
This post was provided to SB Nation by Odds Shark.com.
More from SB Nation college football:
Follow @SBNationCFBFollow @SBNRecruiting
• Bowl season TV schedule, with scores and recaps along the way
• Bill O’Brien reportedly leaving Penn State for the NFL
• Modern Hate: Four huge, behind-the-scenes stories on college football rivalries
• College football news | Tons of five-star recruiting updates
• Long CFB reads | The death of a college football player