- Georgia moving into Top 4 in odds to win national championship
- Bulldogs steady in odds to win SEC
- Quarterback J.T. Daniels slides in Heisman race
Although standing in the shadow of mighty Alabama in the SEC and on the national level, the Georgia Bulldogs are becoming their own entity on the odds markets when discussing the 2022 national championship.
The sounds of fall… music to your ears ?#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/yklaXsaslO
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) August 16, 2021
According to multiple online sportsbooks, Georgia has moved up into a tie with Oklahoma for fourth (+750) behind Alabama who leads at (+260) with Clemson (+400) and Ohio State (+600). On a couple of other wager wires, the Bulldogs leaped Oklahoma (+650) and into a tie with Ohio State (+600) with Alabama leading the way at (+240) and Clemson in second (+380).
Shifting currents
In early January, after Alabama won the sixth national championship and the fifth of Nick Saban’s career, the lines opened with the Bulldogs at a (+1200) which was far off of Ohio State and Oklahoma (+750) as Alabama (+300) and Clemson (+400) were once first and second as early favorites.
In May, Georgia was a solid fourth at a (+700) while the other three – Alabama (+250), Clemson (+300) and Ohio State (+400) – followed suit.
The Bulldogs were the usual second behind Alabama (-125) for this fall’s SEC Championship race as Georgia (+250) was a decisive second with Texas A&M (+900) settling in at third.
Daniels’ Heisman Potential Fueling Georgia’s Odds
BetOnline.ag had quarterback J.T. Daniels as the Heisman favorite at the end of July as he was showing up as a (+500) with Oklahoma’s Spencer Rattler (+700) and Alabama’s Bryce Young (+1000) close behind.
Much of the push for the Bulldogs comes from the expectations of having Daniels at quarterback for a full season with a fleet of wide receivers on offense and that can get deep down the field and make big plays in the passing game.
Quarterback spotlight : JT Daniels [Junior]
JT Daniels is expected to be a Heisman contender this upcoming season for the Georgia Bulldogs and in order for them to return to the playoffs he'll need to play up to that expectation. pic.twitter.com/HuqFgMmSK8
— CFBLIVE247 (@CFBLive247_) August 13, 2021
George Pickens’ presence would have been major for Daniels as he had a chance to become one of the top wide receivers in the nation and would have likely be Daniels’ go-to receiver.
However, Pickens went down with an ACL injury in spring practice. While there is no timetable for his return, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart says his rehab has gone well, but there is no indication if he will return this season.
Daniels still has a talented receiving core which should accentuate Daniels’ talents in the passing game. Kearis Jackson joined Pickens as the top two receivers last season where both had 36 catches and Jackson ironically had one more receiving yard at 514 while Pickens had 513.
Georgia adds tight ends in the mix as well as Denzel Washington caught seven passes last season for a whopping 166 yards. Daniels’ Heisman odds can move back near the top as the season unfolds with so many weapons at his disposal.
