2010 Orange Bowl Iowa vs. Georgia Tech Picks & Predictions
The Big Ten and ACC hope to end their college football seasons on a positive note when Iowa faces Georgia Tech in the 2010 Orange Bowl Tuesday at 8PM ET from Land Shark Stadium.
Iowa is 10-2 on the season and 7-4 against the spread. The Hawkeyes won just one of their last three games and also covered in just one of their last three games.
Georgia Tech is 11-2 on the year and 8-4 against the spread. The Yellowjackets lost their final game of the regular season to Georgia, but bounced back with a 39-34 win over Clemson in the ACC Championship.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL have made Georgia Tech 5.5-point favorites over Iowa on Tuesday night. The over/under total for this game has been established at 51.
Iowa is scoring just 23.1 points per-game and posting 330.8 yards per-game on offense. The Hawkeyes dealt with injuries to quarterback Ricky Stanzi and running back Adam Robinson to end the year, but both are expected to play Tuesday night. Stanzi has thrown for 2,186 yards and 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions while Robinson has rushed for 775 yards and five scores. The Georgia Tech defense is holding opponents to 24.8 points and 357 yards per-game this season.
Georgia Tech is scoring 35.3 points per-game behind one of the top rushing attacks in the nation. The Yellowjackets are averaging over 307 rushing yards per-game. Jonathan Dwyer has rushed for 1,346 yards and 14 scores while quarterback Josh Nesbitt has rushed for 991 yards and 18 scores while throwing for 1,689 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Iowa defense is holding opponents to 15.5 points and 286.7 yards per-game. The Hawkeyes have 21 interceptions as a team and are limiting opponents to just 122 rushing yards per-game.
On paper, Iowa seems to be overmatched, but the Hawkeyes have been notorious for playing to the level of their competition, and their defense has been very strong this season. Iowa has had eight games decided by 10 points or less, and not matter the outcome, look for Iowa to have a spirited effort and keep the game tight. Georgia Tech is used to being able to run all over its opponents, but in its two losses, the Yellowjackets were held to 205 yards rushing or less. Iowa has the ability to match that effort and make Nesbitt pass more than he would like, which can be trouble. As long as Iowa’s offense doesn’t give up a defensive touchdown, we believe that Iowa should be able to cover in a tightly contested game.
Our Orange Bowl Free Pick for this matchup is: IOWA +5.5 and UNDER 51.
College Football Bowl Season Betting Trends
GEORGIA TECH is 16-7 ATS (+8.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
GEORGIA TECH is 16-7 ATS (+8.3 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
GEORGIA TECH is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
IOWA is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
IOWA is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
IOWA is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
Iowa is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Iowa is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games
Georgia Tech is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games
Georgia Tech is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
Bowl Season College Football Injury Report
IOWA
[RB] 09/01/2009 - Jewel Hampton out for season ( Knee )
[RB] 08/28/2009 - Jayme Murphy out for season ( Back )
[WR] 10/13/2009 - Paul Chaney out for season ( Knee )
[OG] 10/27/2009 - Dace Richardson out for season ( Foot )
[QB] 12/06/2009 - Ricky Stanzi probable Tuesday vs. Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl ( Ankle )
[CB] 11/10/2009 - Jordan Bernstine out for season ( Undisclosed )
[LB] 12/26/2009 - Jeremiha Hunter is upgraded to probable Tuesday vs. Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl ( Ankle )
[RB] 12/26/2009 - Adam Robinson is upgraded to probable Tuesday vs. Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl ( Ankle )
GEORGIA TECH
[LB] 09/29/2009 - Kyle Jackson out for season ( Foot )
[DE] 09/29/2009 - Robert Hall out for season ( Knee )
[S) 10/27/2009 - Cooper Taylor out for season ( Heart )
[WR] 12/14/2009 - Kevin Cone is upgraded to probable vs. Iowa in the Orange Bowl ( Ankle )
[OT] 12/14/2009 - Austin Barrick is upgraded to probable vs. Iowa in the Orange Bowl ( Heel )
[DT] 12/14/2009 - Ben Anderson is downgraded to expected to miss vs. Iowa in the Orange Bowl ( Knee )
[LB] 12/14/2009 - Malcolm Munroe is upgraded to probable vs. Iowa in the Orange Bowl ( Knee )
- 12/10/2009 - Phil Smith is downgraded to doubtful vs. Iowa in the Orange Bowl ( Leg )
Orange Bowl Odds
Iowa Hawkeyes +5.5 Over 51 (+185)
Georgia Tech Yellowjackets -5.5 Under 51 (-230)