This week we begin to put some of the college football programs under the spotlight and examine what exactly is going on.
GEORGIA BULLDOGS:
If you are a casual football fan, you probably know that the Georgia Bulldogs are #1 in the country and are a virtual lock for college football’s final four. You may not know just how dominant the Georgia Bulldogs defense has been in 2021.
The Bulldogs defense bolsters several soon-to-be early draft picks into the NFL. Upfront you have Jordan Davis, who is a likely 1st rounder come April’s draft. Davis stands 6’6 360 pounds and is an immovable object, and eliminates the opposition’s run game. Davis has a partner in crime up front in Travon Walker, who is generating 1st round buzz in his own right given his versatility and ability to penetrate.
Nakobe Dean anchors the Bulldogs’ linebacker core. Dean has caught the eyes of NFL scouts with his sideline to sideline capabilities and speed to cover receivers all over the field. Nakobe Dean fits the mode of the modern-day NFL LB and is in line to be the first linebacker taken in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The secondary bolsters Derion Kendrick–a Clemson transfer who has found a home as a Bulldog, and Lewis Cine–a versatile defensive chess piece in the secondary. Both players–considered to be top 50 prospects heading into draft season.
Georgia’s defense has been dominant, but just how DOMINANT have they been? The Bulldogs are averaging 7.6 points per game on defense. If that number sounds astronomically low, it’s because it is! Since 2009, only one other team has held opposing teams to under 10 points per game: 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide (8.2 ppg).
Why do we bring this up? For context. It’s not just that the Georgia Bulldogs have been great this year or that their defense has dominated the opposition, it’s that their defense is historically dominant. I would lean into their dominance and take the Bulldogs and the ‘Under’ the rest of the season.
WISCONSIN BADGERS:
Why on earth are we highlighting a 7-3 Wisconsin Badger team? Along our travels to support the Georgia Bulldogs legendary defense, we stumbled across a few fascinating nuggets on the 2021 Wisconsin Badgers.
Since 2009 (if you remove one team–more on that in a second) the average yards allowed by the top defense in college football has been 255 yards per game. For context, the 2021 Georgia team is giving up 245 yards per game, but they are 2nd in the nation. Who stands alone at the top? You guessed it: the 2021 Wisconsin Badgers.
The Badgers have held their opponents to a ridiculous 211 yards per game. If this number seems staggeringly low–it’s because it is!
There is only one team in college football since 2009 that has held their opponents to fewer yards than the Badgers this year. Does anyone want to take a guess what team pulled off that feat? That’s right, we are circling back to that same 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide defense that held their opponents to 8.2 points per game also held their opponents to a meniscal 183.6 yards per game.
“What does it all mean Basil?” – Austin Powers. It means that you should align yourself with the ‘under’ on the remaining Wisconsin games, and if they are favored by less than a score in their bowl game, take the Badgers.
I like beer. I like football. Sometimes, both at the same time.
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