There are certain types of football bettors who blindly take the Over in every big game. They looked like geniuses during the CFP semifinal matchups, with TCU beating Michigan, 51-45, and Georgia topping Ohio State, 42-41, in a pair of epic shootouts that went flying past the totals. Don’t expect a repeat in the Natty. 

TCU’s 3-3-5 defense made big play after big play against the Wolverines, forcing them out of their comfort zone. Georgia doesn’t get uncomfortable. They’re massive up front with speed and skill on the boundary and it’s more about winning the one-on-one battles than scheme. We expect a measured approach from Georgia’s game plan. 

And we expect the Bulldogs to make TCU one-dimensional on offense, forcing quarterback Max Duggan into uncharacteristic mistakes. We’re on Under 63.5 in the National Championship. 

The Bulldogs should win the majority of battles up front and find plenty of opportunities to get to the second level in the run game. We suspect that will be the goal from the opening drive, with a lot of scripted action for McIntosh at running back. 

He only had five carries against Ohio State, but he still managed 70 rushing yards and also contributed with five catches and a receiving touchdown. The Bulldogs could get him involved in the passing game again if TCU keys heavily on tight end Brock Bowers, and the Horned Frogs have struggled against the run at times. 

They’ve given up nine rushing touchdowns over the last four games and McIntosh is a home-run hitter who can break the big one or grind away in the red zone. We’re on McIntosh to score 2+ touchdowns at +240 for our second leg. 

The Bulldogs sophomore is the best tight end in the country, a serious problem for defenders in coverage at 6-foot-4, 230 pounds. He might be even more valuable in the rushing attack tonight. Georgia’s biggest advantage figures to come at the line of scrimmage against this Frogs defensive scheme, and we expect the Bulldogs to rely heavily on Bowers as a blocker to overpower TCU on the edge. 

Bowers does create highlight-reel moments as a receiver, but he’s only gone over 80 yards three times this season and the Frogs have had plenty of time to come up with a plan to limit his chances in the open field. We’re on Under 79.5 receiving yards for Bowers.