2011 Hyundai Sun Bowl Odds

Written by Jack Jones

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets square off against the Utah Utes in the 2011 Hyundai Sun Bowl. This bowl game takes place at 2:00 EST on December 31st in El Paso, Texas and it will be nationally televised on CBS. It matches the Yellow Jackets potent triple option rushing attack against the Utes stout defense. Georgia Tech went 8-4 (5-3 ACC) while Utah went 7-5 (4-5 Pac-12) this season.

Oddsmakers in Las Vegas have installed a line of Georgia Tech -2.5 over Utah and a total set of 50.5 points.

Georgia Tech

The Yellow Jackets appeared to be a serious contender in the ACC to start the season. They would win each of their first six games before going on to lose four of their final six. Georgia Tech played three ranked opponents this season, beating Clemson but losing to Virginia Tech and Georgia.

Georgia Tech is in the midst of a 15-game bowl appearance streak which is the fourth-longest current run among FBS programs. However, the Yellow Jackets will be trying to put to end a six-game bowl losing streak as well. Head coach Paul Johnson is 2-5 in bowl games, including 0-3 at Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets own a 22-17 bowl record all-time.

This team ranks 17th in the country in total offense (459.6 yards/game). Their strength is a rushing attack that ranks 3rd in the land (316.8 yards/game). Georgia Tech has also been pretty solid defensively, ranking 45th in yards allowed (361.2 yards/game), including 29th against the pass (198.3 yards/game).

The Yellow Jackets are led by quarterback Tevin Washington, who has a team-high 890 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. He has also completed 46.7 percent of his passes for 1,515 yards with 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions. When he does throw, he usually targets receiver Stephen Hill (26 receptions, 785 yards, four TD).

Utah

The Utes experienced some ups and downs in their first season in the new Pac-12 conference. They started the season slow by posting a 3-4 record through their first seven games, but ended pretty strong by winning four of their final five. However, they did lost to Colorado at home as a big favorite in their season finale.

Unlike Georgia Tech, the Utes have had a lot of success in the postseason here of late . Head coach Kyle Whittingham has gone 6-1 in bowl games at Utah. They are 12-4 all-time in bowl games, and this Sun Bowl represents their ninth straight bowl appearance.

Utah ranks just 105th in the country in total offense (308.7 yards/game). This is certainly the side of the football they have struggled on all year as they rush for only 137.1 yards and throw for 171.6 yards. However, the Utes do get after it defensively, ranking 30th in yards allowed (344.1 yards/game). They are 7th in the country against the run (98.3 yards/game).

Though starting quarterback Jordan Wynn went down with a shoulder injury, Jon Jays has stepped in and played pretty well in place of him. Hays is completing 57.4 percent of his passes for 1,266 yards with nine touchdowns and seven interceptions. But the offense revolves around RB John White IV, who has rushed for 1,405 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.

Betting Trends

Utah is 7-2 ATS in their last 9 bowl games. The Utes are also 36-15-1 ATS in their last 52 games as an underdog.

Georgia Tech is 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite of 3.0 or less. The Yellow Jackets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 bowl games.

Projected Score: Georgia Tech 27 – Utah 24

Take a look at the rest of the college bowl predictions offered by expert handicapper Jack Jones and cash in this bowl season.

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