ESPN will air this week 1 CFB game between the Yellow Jackets and Knights at 6:30 (12/22/23). The game is slated for Raymond James Stadium in Tampa (FL). UCF is set to take on the Yellow Jackets in this non-conference matchup, and they are favored by 5 at home. Read on for my thoughts and betting angles.

GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS VS UCF KNIGHTS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets +5

This game will be played at Raymond James Stadium at 6:30 ET on Friday, December 22nd.

WHY BET THE GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS:

  • We have this one finishing with a projected score of 35-30 in favor of UCF.
  • Even though we have UCF winning straight-up, we like Georgia Tech at +5.
  • The over/under is currently sitting at 64.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 65 points.

Does Georgia Tech Have What it Takes on the Road?

With a 6-6 record, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets take on UCF. Their road record so far is (3-2) and at home (2-4).

Georgia Tech’s average scoring differential for the season is +0.7 leading to an ATS mark of 7-4. The Yellow Jackets have been favored three times and the underdog in eight games

This season, Georgia Tech holds an over/under record of 8-3. On average, their games have produced a combined total of 61.7 points, with the typical over/under line set at 56.5 points.

On offense, the Yellow Jackets come in with the 58th ranked offense in terms of passing attempts and are averaging 235.5 passing yards per game. In the running game, they are 46th in terms of attempts.

The Yellow Jackets defense heads into this week’s matchup with 18 sacks and sitting 1st in QB hurries. So far, they’ve allowed 30.5 points per game (130th). In the pass defense department, they’re 69th nationally, giving up 211.3 passing yards per game. Additionally, when it comes to defending the run, Georgia Tech’s defense is allowing 226.1 rushing yards per contest.

Will UCF Live Up to Expectations at Home?

So far, the UCF Knights are 6-6, including going 2-4 on the road and 3-2 at home.

UCF’s average scoring differential for the season is +7.1 leading to an ATS mark of 4-7. The Knights have been favored seven times and the underdog in four games

UCF has put together an over/under record of 5-6 throughout this season. The average combined score in their games has been 57.9 points, and the standard over/under line has stood at 59.8 points.

UCF enters the game on offense with an average of 32.5, ranking them 34th in the NCAA. Their passing game has them at 45th in the nation, with an average of 259.2 passing yards per game. On the ground, they’re at 7th in rushing yards, with an average of 494 rushing attempts per game this season.

Defensively, the Knights enter the game with 27 sacks and ranked 1st in QB hurries. They’ve allowed 25.4 points per game thus far this season (94th). In terms of pass defense, they’re 59th in the NCAA, giving up 205.8 passing yards per game. Against the run, UCF has allowed 188.3 rushing yards per contest thus far.