Georgia Tech vs. UCF 12/22/23 – The NCAAF bowl season brings an intriguing matchup in the Gasparilla Bowl, pitting the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets against the UCF Knights, both holding balanced 6-6 records. This game, which holds a special place in NCAAF bowl betting picks, will be a showcase of mid-tier collegiate football talent and strategic gameplay. Set in the Raymond James Stadium and broadcasted on ESPN, this evening game promises to be a highlight for football enthusiasts.
Georgia Tech vs. UCF 12/22/23
| When: | Friday, December 22, 2023, at 6:30 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Raymond James Stadium |
| TV: | ESPN |
| Stream: | SofaScore |
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Tech | +5.5 -110 | o67.5 -110 | +180 |  |
| UCF | -5.5 -110 | u67.5 -110 | -210 | |
| ||||
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Haynes King QB vs. John Rhys Plumlee QB
Haynes King heads into the bowl game after an up and down sophomore season for Georgia Tech. He’s thrown for 2,755 yards with 26 touchdowns and 15 interceptions while completing 61.9% of his passes. King can stretch the field with the deep ball but also makes too many risky decisions. His 15 interceptions show he needs to improve taking care of the football. However, he ended the regular season playing his best football. Over the last four games, King threw 9 touchdowns and only 2 picks. He will need to continue that momentum against a vulnerable UCF secondary.
On the other side, John Rhys Plumlee leads a UCF offense that leans heavily on the running game. Plumlee has thrown for 2,073 yards while completing 63.9% of his passes. He’s generally avoided big mistakes, with only 8 interceptions on the year. While not asked to throw often, Plumlee has shown the ability to push the ball downfield, averaging over 9 yards per attempt. He can also make plays with his legs, rushing for over 500 yards. The key will be avoiding the Georgia Tech pass rush. If Plumlee has time, he can exploit a questionable Yellow Jackets secondary.
Explosive Georgia Tech Offense Looks to Outgun UCF
The Georgia Tech offense features several explosive weapons for Haynes King to utilize. Running back Jamal Haynes has rushed for 931 yards and 7 touchdowns while receiver Eric Singleton Jr. is averaging 15 yards per catch. This big play ability perfectly complements King’s strengths as a vertical passer. In contrast, the UCF defense has struggled recently, giving up over 30 points per game over their last three contests. For Georgia Tech, attacking downfield early and often should lead to plenty of points.
Stout UCF Rushing Attack Seeks Victory on the Ground
Conversely, the UCF offense wants to dominate on the ground with running back RJ Harvey. Harvey racked up a stellar 1,296 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns during the regular season. His physical rushing style allows the Knights to control time of possession and wear down defenses. That will be critical against a Georgia Tech team that utilizes a lot of speed and athleticism on defense. If UCF can limit quick strike scores from the Yellow Jackets, Harvey and the Knights rushing attack could carry them to victory in the 4th quarter.
NCAAF Betting Odds: UCF Knights -190, Over/Under: 67.5
The betting odds lean towards UCF Knights as the favorites with a Moneyline of -190, and an over/under set at a lofty 67.5 points, suggesting expectations of a high-scoring game.
Trends
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Betting Trends
Georgia Tech are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Georgia Tech’s last 6 games.
Georgia Tech are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games against an opponent in the American Athletic Conference conference.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Georgia Tech’s last 5 games played in December.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Georgia Tech’s last 5 games played on a Friday.
Georgia Tech are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games when playing as the underdog.
UCF Knights Betting Trends
Central Florida are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Central Florida’s last 6 games.
Central Florida are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games.
Central Florida are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games against an opponent in the Atlantic Coast conference.
UCF are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games played on a Friday.
Central Florida are 12-5 SU in their last 17 games when playing as the favourite.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. UCF Knights Betting Picks
The Knights, despite their ATS struggles, appear to be the stronger team, especially when favored. However, Georgia Tech’s ability to cover spreads and participate in high-scoring affairs cannot be overlooked. This matchup presents a clash of styles, with Tech’s high-scoring tendency against UCF’s more conservative approach.
Considering these aspects, the better pick seems to be Georgia Tech with the points, especially given their trend of covering as underdogs. The over/under is a tough call, but given Georgia Tech’s trend, leaning towards the OVER might be the more adventurous but potentially rewarding choice.
For those engaging in top online casino betting, exploring individual player performance props, especially for key players like Haynes and Plumlee, could provide additional excitement and value.
Score Prediction: UCF Knights 35, Georgia Tech 33
