Numerous thrilling college football matchups await this weekend for Tennessee bettors. One intriguing option to consider is the betting opportunity between the Ball State Cardinals (0-1) and top ranked Georgia Bulldogs (1-0).

When: September 9, 2023 at 12:00 PM ET

Where: Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia

Watch: SECN

Ball State Cardinals Preview

The Cardinals finished 5-7 last year in the MAC West and will potentially produce another season similar to that one. They are coming off of a loss to the Kentucky Wildcats, which are respectable in the SEC but not on the same level as the Bulldogs.

They gave up 44 points in that game, as well as 357 total yards. On offense, they scored 14 points and were able to land 295 total yards. They are in for a treat if they thought that was a bad game, as they now face the best team in the country.

Surprisingly, the Cardinals had possession of the ball for nearly 39 minutes, while the Wildcats had it for about 22. They were unable to utilize the clock to their advantage to slow down the game.

As the Cardinals are preparing for the Bulldogs, they will need a different approach if they want to score more than 14 points. In addition, allowing 44 is not going to cut it either, but their defense will likely be punished worse than it was against the Wildcats.

Georgia Bulldogs Preview

The Bulldogs have a three-peat on their mind to win the National Championship. They are coming off of a 15-0 season and a recent 48-7 victory against the UT Martin Skyhawks.

The Bulldogs looked great in a game that they were supposed to win. They did not cover their spread however, as they were over 50-point favorites. This game will potentially be similar to what they just experienced against the Skyhawks.

They put up a total of 559 yards, with new quarterback Carson Beck adding in 294 and 21 of 31 completed passes. He also added in one touchdown, so a casual day and not a good test to see if he is ready for bigger games down the road.

The Bulldogs do not have anything to prove here, as long as they win by a big margin. They held onto the ball for nearly 31 minutes, so they will probably continue to work on their offensive efficiency. They will also probably rotate players through after they are up a large amount to save their starters in case of injury.

Betting Odds

Experience the thrill of college football betting in Tennessee with ZenSports Tennessee sportsbook, where the Bulldogs hold a moderate advantage as they strive to take care of business at home.

Ball State Cardinals:

Spread: +42 (-110)

Georgia Bulldogs:

Spread: -42 (-110)

Totals: Over 52.5 (-110), Under 52.5 (-110)

This is the first time that both teams meet in program history. The Cardinals are essentially another warm up for the Bulldogs, as their teams are dynamically different. However, will the Bulldogs be able to dominate and cover the spread?

Photo Credit: © Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK