2009 Independence Bowl Texas A&M vs. Georgia Start Time, TV Guide & Odds
Shreveport, LA - Both Texas A&M and Georgia had mediocre seasons in part due to defenses that consistently struggled.
But that could make for an exciting offensive showcase as the Aggies and Bulldogs meet in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La., on Dec. 28.
Bet The 2009 Independence Bowl
While Texas A&M allowed more points (32.7) and total yards (431.3) per game than any other Big 12 team, Georgia's defensive woes prompted coach Mark Richt to fire three of his assistants, including defensive coordinator Willie Martinez.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com have made Georgia -7 point spread favorites (View College Football odds) for the 2009 Independence Bowl (Game Matchup). Current public betting information shows that 62% of bets for this game have been placed on Georgia -7 (View College Football bet percentages).
Martinez had spent nine seasons with the Bulldogs, but his defense has had problems ever since Georgia was ranked No. 1 in the 2008 preseason.
The Bulldogs allowed more than 40 points in each of their losses during a 10-3 season last year, and they have been even worse in 2009, permitting an average of 26.4 points to rank 10th in the SEC.
"It was definitely not a one-year, knee-jerk reaction to one season, I can promise you that," Richt said of the personnel decisions. "It was more a decision that was made over the course of time, more time than just one year."
Martinez, defensive ends coach Jon Fabris and linebackers coach John Jancek all declined an offer to coach Georgia (7-5) in a bowl game before their dismissal, leaving Richt and defensive line coach Rodney Garner in control of the defense.
"Obviously, it's different," Garner told Georgia's official Web site. "I know it's different for the players also, but like I told them, the only thing they can control is what happens between the lines no matter what you feel about. ... What we've got to do is to be challenged to get these guys prepared to go to Shreveport and play probably one of the most prolific offenses we've faced all year."
The Bulldogs will have a tough task in stopping Texas A&M's Jerrod Johnson, who has thrown for 3,217 yards and 28 touchdowns with six interceptions while also rushing for 455 yards and eight scores.
The 6-foot-5 junior anchors the nation's fifth-ranked offense, which racks up 465.3 yards per game and boasts a potent ground attack led by freshman Christine Michael and sophomore Cyrus Gray.
"We feel we can match up with anyone in the country," Johnson said.
He nearly proved that in the regular-season finale Nov. 26 by throwing for 342 yards and four touchdowns in a 49-39 loss to Texas, which will play for the national championship. The Longhorns didn't allow more than 24 points to any other opponent all season.
"I can't say enough about Jerrod Johnson," Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman said. "He's probably under the radar for what he has been able to do."
Texas A&M (6-6) allowed 597 total yards to Texas. The Aggies gave up more than 60 points in Big 12 losses to Kansas State and Oklahoma, and rank 107th nationally in total defense despite junior defensive end Von Miller leading the nation with 17 sacks.
That may help Georgia keep pace in senior quarterback Joe Cox's final game. In his only season as the starter after he replaced No. 1 NFL draft pick Matthew Stafford, Cox has thrown for 2,426 yards and 22 touchdowns while being picked off 14 times.
Georgia has focused more on the run lately, averaging 252.0 yards on the ground in its last four games. The Bulldogs rushed for a season-high 339 in a 30-24 road upset of then-No. 7 Georgia Tech in their regular-season finale Nov. 28 - statistics Richt said he "never would have predicted."
Freshman Washaun Ealey and sophomore Caleb King each averaged 9.2 yards per carry in that game, with King finding the end zone twice.
"We had a lot of success (running)," Ealey said. "I hope we do it a lot in the future."
These teams have appeared in the Independence Bowl before. Texas A&M beat Oklahoma State in 1981 and lost to Mississippi State in 2000, while Georgia beat Arkansas in its only appearance in 1991.
The Bulldogs have won 12 of their last 15 bowl appearances. Texas A&M hasn't been as successful in the postseason, losing 10 of its last 12 bowl games.
2009 Independence Bowl
Teams: Texas A&M vs. Georgia
Kickoff: Dec. 28, 2009, 5:00PM ET
Venue: Independence Stadium
TV: ESPN2
Odds:
221 Texas A&M +7 Over 64
222 Georgia -7 Under 64
2009 Independence Bowl Texas A&M vs. Georgia Picks & Predictions
Two powerful teams with a lot of history meet in the 2009 Independence Bowl on Monday at 5PM ET when Texas A&M faces off with Georgia from Independence Stadium.
Texas A&M is 6-6 on the year and 6-5-1 against the spread. The Aggies have lost three of their last four to end the regular season, but covered in their last two games.
Georgia is 7-5 on the year and 4-7 against the spread. The Bulldogs won three of their last four to end the season and have covered in two of their last three.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sports Interaction have made Georgia 7-point favorites over Texas A&M on Monday night. The over/under total for this game has been established at 64.
Texas A&M is scoring 33.9 points per-game this year and the Aggies lead the Big XII in total offense, averaging 465.3 yards per-game. Jerrod Johnson has thrown for 3,217 yards and 28 touchdowns with just six interceptions while two different Aggie backs have over 750 yards rushing. Georgia is allowing 26.4 points per-game on defense, but limiting opponents to only 328 yards per-game.
Georgia is scoring 27.7 points per-game this year under a balanced offensive attack. Joe Cox has thrown for 2,426 yards with 22 touchdowns this season to lead the Georgia offense. The Aggies are giving up 32.7 points and 431.3 yards per-game this year defensively.
This game looks like it should be a shootout as both defenses have struggled. Texas A&M has shown it can move the ball on almost anyone and have the ball moved on it by almost anyone. The Aggies gave Texas all it could handle in their regular season finale, while Georgia has been underwhelming this season and Mark Richt has fired a lot of assistants for that reason. This game will really show which conference has tougher competition. With the game taking place in SEC country, we suggest a pick of Georgia minus the points and the over in a tough game that should favor the Bulldogs, which has more balance from top to bottom.
Our Independence Bowl Free Pick for this matchup is: GEORGIA -7 and OVER 64.
College Football Bowl Season Betting Trends
TEXAS A&M is 4-16 ATS (-13.6 Units) in road games after a bye week since 1992.
GEORGIA is 21-6 ATS (+14.4 Units) in road games in non-conference games since 1992.
Texas A&M is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Texas A&M is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
Georgia is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games
Bowl Season College Football Injury Report
TEXAS A&M
[DB] 10/20/2009 - Marcus Gold out indefinitely ( Foot )
[WR] 09/14/2009 - Roger Holland out for season ( Concussion )
[CB] 09/23/2009 - Coryell Judie out for season ( Shoulder )
GEORGIA
[WR] 09/10/2009 - Kris Durham out indefinitely ( Shoulder )
[WR] 12/11/2009 - A.J. Green is upgraded to probable Monday vs. Texas A&M ( Shoulder )
[S) 11/12/2009 - Quintin Banks out indefinitely ( Knee )
[DT] 11/12/2009 - Derrick Lott out for season ( Ankle )
[S) 12/06/2009 - Bacarri Rambo is upgraded to probable Monday vs. Texas A&M ( Concussion )
[RB] 12/18/2009 - Richard Samuel is upgraded to probable Monday vs. Texas A&M ( Concussion )
[DE] 12/17/2009 - Montez Robinson expected to miss Monday vs. Texas A&M ( Suspension )
Independence Bowl Odds
Texas A&M Aggies +7 Over 64 (+220)
Georgia Bulldogs -7 Under 64 (-300)