TaxSlayer Bowl Georgia Tech vs. Kentucky Predictions 12/31/16

2016 TaxSlayer Bowl Prediction

Will Georgia Tech cover as a small favorite versus Kentucky when the two teams clash in the TaxSlayer Bowl at 11:00AM ET?

According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Yellow Jackets are now 3.5-point favorites over the Wildcats while the over/under currently sits at 63 points. Georgia Tech opened as a 5-point favorite before the number was bet down to 3.5, while the total hit the board at 60 before climbing three points.

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GEORGIA TECH KEY TRENDS: The Yellow Jackets are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games against SEC foes and are 7-2 against the number in their last nine non-conference games. They have not fared well in bowl games, however, going just 2-6 at the betting window in their last eight bowl appearances. They’re also 2-6 against the spread in their last eight games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.

KENTUCKY KEY TRENDS: The Wildcats are 7-2 against the spread in their last nine games overall, are 4-0 against the number in their last four games versus a team with a winning record, and are 5-1 at the betting window in their last six games coming off a win. That said, they’re just 1-4 against the spread in their last five non-conference games, are winless at 0-4 at the betting window in their last four neutral site games, and are 9-20 against the number in their last 29 games coming off a successful cover.

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OUR PREDICTION: These were two of the better rushing attacks in all of football this season, but I don’t trust Kentucky’s defense. The Wildcats allowed 227.8 yards per game on the ground this season, which ranked 110th in the nation. They’ll face a Georgia Tech triple-option attack that led the ACC with 257.4 yards per game on the ground and that won five of its last six games while averaging 287.5 rushing yards per game during that stretch. In winning their last three games, the Yellow Jackets only allowed 21.3 points per game, which includes an upset win over Georgia. I trust their defense more.

 

TAXSLAYER BOWL PREDICTION: GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS -3.5