GAMBLING GUIDE
Championship weekend gambling guide: Georgia on my mind
Dec 1, 2017, 6:15 am
Look for a big effort from Georgia this weekend. UGAFootballlive.com
Originally appeared on Houstonsportsandstuff.com.
Everyone knows Auburn is very good. Their recent run of success is the most impressive in college football this year. Without a doubt they are one of the best teams in the country.
However, the situational spot for Georgia sets up perfectly from a betting perspective in four different ways.
- Georgia got humiliated a few weeks ago at Auburn 40-17. Georgia looked confused on offense and never established the run. Auburn forced them to pass and it was gross. Gus Malzahn was caught on tape saying Auburn “beat the dawg s*it out of them.” Georgia heard. Georgia remembers.
- The recent success of Auburn has taken a toll on Auburn’s backfield. They have played two different No. 1 teams in the country in the last three weeks. The Auburn kids are in for a letdown- and their health, especially Kerryon Johnson -- will play a factor. He could barely stand up straight last week at the end of the game. You could make the argument that Auburn does not have a running back at 100%. The running backs are key in Malzahn’s offense. If they are still banged up, it will mean trouble for Auburn.
- Guz Malzahn could leave Auburn for Arkansas. Don’t laugh. Malzahn has deep ties to Northern Arkansas where he was a high school football coach and his wife loves it there. Arkansas is home to Malzahn and some people think he is tired of the politics at Auburn. Malzahn always seems to be on the hot seat at Auburn and rumors of him coaching for his job surface every year. He could return home to Arkansas and coach for 20 years. Regardless of if he leaves or not, Arkansas is a distraction.
- Just a few weeks ago Georgia was a favorite playing in Auburn. Fast forward three weeks and they are underdogs? Georgia is healthier, has revenge, and fewer distractions. The line is begging you to take Auburn.
I am playing Georgia three different ways. First half. Full game. Money line. I also have them tied up in several different parlays. This is my largest play of the year.
No one is talking about Georgia right now, but they will after this week.
Good luck on your wagers this weekend.
Direct all hate mail to @jayoff288 I will be on Twitter all weekend.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
After dropping a frustrating series to the Chicago White Sox, the Houston Astros find themselves in a familiar position—searching for answers, but still within striking distance. Despite their inconsistency, Houston sits just three games behind the AL West-leading Mariners, who are currently 7 games over .500 and riding an 8-2 stretch. For as up-and-down as the Astros have been, the division remains tantalizingly close.
That inconsistency was on full display throughout the White Sox series. Jake Meyers and Zach Dezenzo each played the roles of both hero and heartbreaker. Dezenzo launched a massive home run in Game 3, a moment that energized the dugout and briefly shifted momentum. But his costly defensive error later in the game flipped the script. Meyers was a spark plug in Houston’s lone win, delivering a clutch performance at the plate, only to run the team out of a rally in the finale when he was picked off second—right before Jeremy Peña ripped what would have been an RBI single.
Jose Altuve’s struggles are quietly becoming more worrisome. He’s recorded just one multi-hit game since April 19 and has only one homer since April 8. On Sunday, he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had grinded through a 33-pitch inning—a decision that raised questions about his awareness in a veteran moment. Should manager Joe Espada have reminded Altuve of the situation? Or is this on Altuve, who should have known what to do as one of the team leaders?
Signs of life
There are flickers of life from the bats. Last week, Houston's team OPS was an underwhelming .667 (23rd in MLB), with a slugging percentage of .357 (25th). They've nudged those numbers up to .684 (19th) and .370 (21st), respectively. It’s modest progress, but enough to suggest this offense might be trending in the right direction. Still, their 5-5 record over the last 10 games feels emblematic of who they are right now—a .500 team with both talent and flaws.
Looking ahead
The upcoming schedule could be a turning point. Three of the next five opponents have losing records, and none of them are elite. This stretch offers a prime opportunity for Houston to finally build momentum and close the gap in the division—assuming the Mariners cool off from their current tear, which seems inevitable given their unsustainable 8-2 pace.
McCullers is officially back!
Lance McCullers returned for the first time since 2022 and, despite being limited to 3.2 innings due to command issues (three walks and a hit batter), there were encouraging signs. His velocity was there, and the stuff looked sharp. It’s a start, and perhaps a step toward stabilizing a rotation that still needs length.
Steering the ship
Manager Joe Espada, however, continues to draw scrutiny. His decision-making in the finale raised eyebrows again. Giving Isaac Paredes a day off when Yordan Alvarez was already sitting left the lineup depleted. Rather than using promising young infielder/outfielder Cam Smith, he opted for Mauricio Dubón and Brendan Rodgers—a defensive combo that didn't inspire confidence. It feels at times like Espada isn’t prioritizing winning the final game of a series, a pattern that could haunt the team down the stretch.
The plot thickens
Meanwhile, Christian Walker’s slump is dragging on. He went 0-for-5 twice in the last two series and looks out of sync at the plate. The Astros need more from their power hitters if they hope to make a real run. And with Alvarez now heading to the IL with hand inflammation, runs will be even harder to come by.
All told, this team still feels like one hovering just above or below .500. But in a division that remains wide open, the path forward is clear: play better, hope the Mariners come back to earth, and capitalize on a soft schedule. The race is far from over—but it’s time for Houston to start acting like contenders.
We have so much more to discuss. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
*ChatGPT assisted.
___________________________
Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!