What's the Line? (vs. Austin Peay)

2018 Georgia vs. Austin Peay — In the 2018 season opener, the teams' only previous meeting prior to today, Georgia defeated Austin Peay, 45-0, as a 45.5-point favorite (UGASports Communications).

Georgia has opened as a 48.5-point favorite over Austin Peay with a point total of 55.5 for their game today in Athens. (For the latest odds, go to BetMGM Sportsbook.) Each team is coming off a double-digit win in their season-opening game, including the FCS Governors, which upset an FBS opponent as a significant underdog.

Matchup: In its season opener last week, Georgia defeated Marshall, 45-7, as a 38.5-point favorite, barely not covering. The Bulldogs have now covered just three out of their last 14 games dating back to early last season. Opening up as a 15.5-point underdog at Middle Tennessee, Austin Peay pulled a major upset last week, 34-14. For the Governors, it marked just the fourth time in their last 18 games dating back to 2023 that they covered the spread. Beginning in 2020, Austin Peay is 3-3 against the spread (ATS) vs. Power Four opponents, including covers against Alabama in 2022 and Tennessee in 2023.

Coaching Trends: Considering Kirby Smart’s non-cover last week, he is now 0-13-1 ATS, including 0-7 vs. FCS foes, when favored by more than 38 points (yet he’s otherwise covered the spread more than 58 percent of the time as Georgia’s head coach). Second-year Austin Peay coach Jeff Faris’ momentous upset last week signified only the second time in school history—and the first time since 1987—that the Governors defeated an FBS opponent. In his initial season in 2024, Faris was 4-8 straight up and 3-8-1 ATS.

Series History: Georgia and Austin Peay have met just once before, facing off in Athens for the 2018 season opener. The third-ranked Bulldogs dominated in a 45-0 victory, outgaining the Governors, 508-152, while having three times as many first downs (21-7). Still, as a 45.5-point underdog, Austin Peay just barely covered the spread.