2020 Georgia vs Baylor Predictions – Allstate Sugar Bowl Expert Picks: After coming up just short of a SEC title and a spot the College Football Playoff once again, the fifth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs head to the Allstate Sugar Bowl for the second year in a row. Waiting for them will be the seventh-ranked Baylor Bears, who went from 1-11 to 11-2 and a win away from a Big 12 title and spot in the College Football Playoff in the span of two years.
Both teams lean on their defenses to win game. Despite playing in the pass-happy Big 12, the Bears rank 16th in the country in scoring defense and ninth in the country in sacks. Perhaps more importantly, Baylor is tied with Clemson for the second most takeaways in the country. Georgia has been even stingier. The Bulldogs rank second in the country in scoring defense, allowing 12.5 points per game, and they rank fourth in total defense, giving up just 274.2 yards per game. Georgia’s run defense has been particularly impressive, ranking third overall.
Neither side has been dominant on the offense side of the ball, but both teams love to pound the ball on the ground with multiple backs behind strong offensive lines. The Bulldogs have the most explosive back in D’Andre Swift, but he is expected to be a game-time decision as he deals with a shoulder injury. Both Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm and Baylor quarterback Charlie Brewer have been reliable, but both fall into the category of reliable game manager. One potential X-factor could be Baylor receiver Denzel Mims, who has become a legitimate big-play weapon.
2020 Georgia vs Baylor Predictions: Allstate Sugar Bowl Expert Picks
The Bulldogs Win If:
In an era of high-scoring offenses, the Bulldogs remain committed to a run-heavy, defensive-minded approach. Even though Baylor is one of the most defensive-oriented teams in the Big 12, Georgia still needs to avoid getting caught up in a faster-paced, higher-scoring contest. The Bulldogs need to dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, controlling the clock and wearing down Baylor’s defensive front with their power running game and forcing Brewer to make tough throws by putting the Bears in third-and-longs on a routine basis. The Bulldogs also need a clean, solid performance from Fromm. If he can keep the offense on schedule and avoid mistakes, Georgia’s overall talent advantage should rule the day.
The Bears Win If:
For the Bears to cap a remarkable turnaround with a bowl win, they need to slow down Georgia’s ground game, especially on early downs. The Bulldogs can be downright ugly on offense when they can’t establish their running attack, so if the Bears can put the pressure on Fromm to drive the offense, they will significantly boost their chances of winning. Offensively, Brewer and company have to avoid turnovers and any mistakes that will give Georgia a short field to work with. The Bulldogs’ Achilles’ heel has been their offense, and the Bears can’t make life any easier for Georgia to score points.
Bottom Line:
It is no secret that the Bulldogs have had their issues scoring points, but Baylor hasn’t exactly been an offensive juggernaut, and the Bears play in a Big 12 conference where defense is basically optional. It is one thing for Georgia to struggle to score against the like of LSU, Auburn and Florida. It is another thing to see the Bears score just 23 points in an overtime against Oklahoma, only 24 points against a porous Texas defense and just 29 points in a triple-overtime contest against TCU. Plus, Georgia’s defense has been able to contain every offense it has faced. Yes, they allowed a season-high 37 points to LSU in the SEC title game, but I’m sure the Oklahoma team that beat Baylor twice this year would have loved to hold LSU to just 37 points. I just don’t see the Bears being able to put enough points on the board to pull this one out.
Prediction: Georgia Bulldogs (-5) Cover the Spread
