The 2023 Orange Bowl is taking place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. We have the matchup of the 12-1 Georgia Bulldogs and the 13-0, ACC Champion Florida State Seminoles. Georgia comes into this one losing the SEC Title game to Alabama which led them to being out of the College Football Playoff. The Bulldogs have appeared in 61 bowl games in their historical program’s history. They have a 37-21-3 record in those 61 bowl games that they have partaken in.
Florida State comes into this one with an undefeated season and an ACC Title. Some believe that the Seminoles were snubbed being the first undefeated Power Five conference champion not to make the College Football Playoff. The Seminoles have appeared in 48 bowl games in their historical program’s history. They have a 29-17-2 record in those 48 bowl games that they have partaken in. The Georgia Bulldogs are a 21-point favorite with the over/under set at 44.5. Here is my preview for the 2023 Orange Bowl.
Georgia Bulldogs
This Georgia team was dominant like a lot of people thought they were going to be in 2023. Offensively, they average 38.4 points per game (9th in the nation) and average 488.5 total yards of offense (9th in the nation). I wasn’t high on this guy coming into the season, but Carson Beck balled out in 2023. He threw for 3,738 passing yards to go along with 22 passing touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Obviously his big playmaker Brock Bowers helped him out, but with Bowers opting out and getting ready for the NFL Draft, Beck is going to need someone to step up.
They can rely on their two-headed monster in the backfield of Daijun Edwards (818 rushing yards 5.2 yards per carry and 11 touchdowns) and Kendall Milton (686 rushing yards on 6.1 yards per carry and 12 touchdowns). The duo combined for 23 touchdowns this season for Georgia and they can be of use for the Bulldogs in this Orange Bowl showdown.
Defensively, the Bulldogs weren’t as stellar as they were during their back-to-back national title runs. However, this defensive group is still very talented. They allow 16.6 points per game while also giving up 311.4 total yards of offense per game. Georgia isn’t losing any starters on defense for this bowl game which is huge for the Bulldogs. They didn’t give up 30+ points to any opponent in 2023, but they allowed 20 or more points to be scored in seven of their games this season. Georgia should have a good defensive outing here against a depleted Florida State offense.
Florida State Seminoles
The Florida State football season was a fun one to watch. Obviously, losing Jordan Travis due to a leg injury was horrible. However, they rallied together to remain undefeated and won the ACC Championship and now have a date with the back-to-back National Champions in the Orange Bowl. Offensively, the Seminoles averaged 37 points per game to go along with 430.5 total yards of offense. Now the list for players that aren’t playing in the bowl game for Florida State is incredible.
They will be without their two top receivers in Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman and their starting running back in Trey Benson. The Seminoles have a lot of guys with not a ton of experience that are going to be playing in this game. I am excited to watch quarterback Brock Glenn. He struggled in the ACC title game, but I think he has potential to be great for Florida State. The Seminoles have a tough hill to climb offensively in this matchup.
Defensively, the Seminoles were good in 2023. They allowed 15.9 points per game and gave up 330 total yards of offense per game. Florida State never gave up 30 points in a game this season, but they allowed 20 or more points in five games this season. The Seminoles will be without half of their defensive starters in this bowl matchup. Florida State not being in the College Football Playoff made a lot of their players not want to play in this bowl game which is a crime. However, Florida State has to do what they can with who they got.
Betting Trends
-The under is 4-1 in Georgia’s last 5 games.
-The under is 4-2 in Georgia’s last 6 games as a favorite.
–Florida State is 7-1 ATS in their last 8 as an underdog.
-The under is 4-1 in Florida State’s last 5 games.
The Don’s Best Bet
I have one play in this Orange Bowl showdown. My official play is over 44.5 -110 for one unit. This game is screaming to take the over for me. When you look at Georgia, they want to make a statement so I think they are going to come out firing on all cylinders. I think Florida State can do their part to make sure that this over hits. Ride the over to the cash counter.
