Opening line released for Orange Bowl matchup between No. 2 Michigan and No. 3 Georgia
On Sunday, the College Football Playoff field was revealed. No. 1 Alabama will face No. 4 Cincinnati in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl. And No. 2 Michigan will play No. 3 Georgia in the Capital One Orange Bowl.
The Wolverines will be competing to try and win the program’s first national championship since 1997 and making their first CFP appearance. But they’ll do so as an underdog.
College Football Playoff semifinal odds from @BetMGM:
Alabama (-13.5) vs. Cincinnati; Total: 59.5
Michigan vs. Georgia (-7); Total: 43.5
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) December 5, 2021
Michigan is 11-2 against the spread this season. The only times it has failed to cover were the 4-point loss to Michigan State on Oct. 30 (Michigan was favored) and the 20-13 win over Rutgers on Sept. 25 (Michigan was a 20-point favorite). Georgia is just 8-5 against the spread this season.
The Bulldogs lost 41-24 to Alabama in Saturday’s SEC Championship Game. It was the first loss of the year for Georgia, which entered into the matchup as the presumptive favorite to win not just the SEC but the national championship. Now, it will face a red-hot Michigan team.
The Wolverines have won 5 straight since that loss to Michigan State. They boat-raced Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game, 42-3, and beat Ohio State 42-27 to close the regular season. On the season, Michigan is outscoring its opponents by 3 touchdowns a game.
The Orange Bowl will take place on Dec. 31 on ESPN.