2010 Orange Bowl Odds: Iowa v. Georgia Tech Football Picks & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd on January 4, 2010

The 10-2 Iowa Hawkeyes meet the 11-2 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Land Shark Stadium Tuesday, January 5th in the 2010 edition of the Orange Bowl. NCAA football odds makers have listed Georgia Tech as a 5.5-point favorite with the total set at 50.

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In just his second season as head coach, Paul Johnson has an ACC championship under his belt, marking the first time Georgia Tech has won an outright ACC title since 1990. Now he looks to add an Orange Bowl victory over the 10th-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes to his resume.

This matchup pits Johnson’s explosive spread option offense against the stingy defense of Kirk Ferentz’s Hawkeyes. The Yellow Jackets rank No. 11 in the country in total offense and the Hawks rank No. 11 in total defense. Georgia Tech also ranks No. 11 in scoring offense with 35.3 points per game and Iowa ranks No. 10 in scoring defense, allowing 15.5 points per game. Going into the numbers further, the Yellow Jackets average 442.7 yards per game with 307.2 of those yards coming on the ground (No. 2 nationally). Iowa is giving up just 286.7 total yards and only 122 on the ground.

Iowa will have the daunting task of slowing down running back Jonathan Dwyer and quarterback Josh Nesbitt. Dwyer and Nesbitt have combined for 2,337 yards and 32 touchdowns on the ground this season. Nesbitt doesn’t pass often, just under 12 times per game, but he has been effective when he does throw. Nesbitt has thrown 10 touchdown strikes against only four interceptions. It is worth noting that the Yellow Jackets are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games overall. If you think the Yellow Jackets’ explosive offense will be too much for the Hawks to handle, bet Georgia Tech at -5.5 at BetUS.

Iowa has produced a number of good linebackers in recent years, most notably Chad Greenway of the Minnesota Vikings. A.J. Edds and Pat Angerer are the latest star linebackers for the Hawkeyes. In fact, Angerer is a finalist for the Bronco Nagurski award given to the nation’s top defensive player.

While Iowa’s linebackers will be key in shutting down Georgia Tech’s running game, Iowa’s offense is going to have to score the football to have a shot in this one. The good news is that quarterback Ricky Stanzi is expected to play. Stanzi led Iowa to a 9-0 start this season, and the Hawks appeared to be well on their way to 10-0 before he went down with a serious ankle injury against Northwestern. While Stanzi’s numbers won’t wow you (15 touchdowns with 14 interceptions), he is a valuable leader, and he is at his best in the most crucial of moments. Most have seen his game-winning touchdown pass against Michigan State as time expired.

Iowa last played in the Orange Bowl in 2003 when it was defeated 38-17 by USC. That team appeared content to be in a BCS bowl game for the first time, but Big Ten Coach of the Year Kirk Ferentz hopes this team can atone for that loss. It is worth noting that the Hawkeyes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 bowl games as an underdog. If you like the Hawkeyes’ defense to help it pull off the upset, bet Iowa at +5.5 at BetUS.

Editor’s Note: Jimmy Boyd is 4-1 his last 5 and 6-2 his last 8 bowl plays. He has his 5* 2010 Bowl Game of the Year going on this matchup Tuesday night. Pick it up in his football picks package.

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