Georgia Tech vs. Iowa Orange Bowl Odds

 

If you're betting next week, think of the Orange Bowl as a poor man's Fiesta Bowl in that it features a powerhouse offense battling a stout defense. Whereas I think the defensive team, TCU, will prevail in the Fiesta, I like the high-octane offense of Georgia Tech over Iowa in the Orange.

2010 Orange Bowl

(10) Iowa vs (9) Georgia Tech

Tuesday, January 5, 8:00 p.m. ET

College football odds favorite: Georgia Tech -4

You have to love the triple-option offense. It puts points on the board and entertains the heck out of us. Georgia Tech works it better than any team and road it to the No. 2 rushing offense in the nation, averaging 307 yards per carry. Quarterback Josh Nesbitt ran for 991 yards and 18 touchdowns; change-of-pace back Anthony Allen ran for nine scores. The real horse is Jonathan Dwyer, a powerful runner who amassed 1,346 yards and 14 touchdowns. To top it off, the Yellow Jackets have big-play ability. They're not a big passing team but, when they do, they go big. Demaryius Thomas caught 46 balls for 1,100-plus yards, averaging a ridiculous 25.1 yards per catch.

Georgia Tech scores like crazy but sports betting sharps should know that it gets scored on plenty, too. The Jackets allowed 25 points per game and five yards per carry. I'm not convinced, however, that Iowa's offense can exploit the Jackets' weaknesses. The Hawkeyes aren't an elite running team and quarterback Ricky Stanzi doesn't always inspire confidence; he paired his 15 touchdown passes with 14 interceptions this season.

Even though Iowa's defense, featuring Pat Angerer and Adrian Clayborn, is the real deal, I don't think the Hawkeyes can get the job done in the Orange Bowl. For one, as good as their defense is, they haven't battled the triple option before. Secondly, Iowa may be rusty after not playing since November 21. Lastly, the game means more to Georgia Tech. Iowa's season is a mild disappointment since it started 9-0 whereas just getting to a BCS bowl game qualifies as a success for Georgia Tech. Go with the Jackets.

Free pick: Georgia Tech -4