Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Vegas Play of the Day: Taxslayer Bowl

Nittany Lion

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Penn State cheerleaders toss the Penn State Mascot, the Nittany Lion, as they celebrate a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015. Penn State won 39-0.

We've reset the Play of the Day with fresh bankrolls and turned it into a yearly competition. Our three sports writers have re-started with $10,000 bankrolls to continue using on odds from the South Point.

Penn State plus-6 vs. Georgia: $660 to win $600

There are a lot of factors to consider when handicapping how Georgia will play. All of them are negative.

A team entering a bowl game without its head coach immediately screams bet-against. But in the Bulldogs’ case, it doesn’t end there.

Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt departed Athens, Ga., almost as soon as coach Mark Richt was fired, leaving the Bulldogs totally rudderless going into their bowl game. And it’s not as if they were a bastion of stability this season to begin with.

Georgia was an abomination on offense, ranking 73rd in the nation by Football Outsiders’ S&P ratings. The Bulldogs played only three defenses S&P rates higher than Penn State’s — Alabama, Florida and Missouri.

They averaged seven points in those games. Georgia was extremely fortunate to get nine wins, going 4-1 in games decided by seven points or fewer.

Penn State was no great success story either but there’s no way it’s a touchdown worse than Georgia even with both sides at full strength. Penn State coach James Franklin is a perfect 3-0 for his career in bowl games.

The Nittany Lions will be ready to play. There’s no telling with the Bulldogs.

Current Standings (as of July 1): Brewer (28-24, $9,970), Bern (19-28, $6,035), Keefer (22-37-2, $4,521)

Lifetime standings: 2014-15 Champion Bern (99-101-1), Brewer (97-112-2), Keefer (105-120-4)

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.

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