ATHENS — Georgia football has opened as a 43 1/2-point favorite over UMass in next Saturday’s 4 p.m. game at Sanford Stadium, according to VegasInsider.com.
It’s the largest line for a UGA game since Georgia opened the season against FCS Austin Peay as a 48-point favorite.
The outcome isn’t as much in question as the Bulldogs’ choice of jersey color. Fans have been clamoring for the black jerseys, and many wore black to Sanford Stadium for the Auburn game with hopes the team would come out in them.
Coach Kirby Smart thanked UGA fans for their support at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, likely aware the home games have had uncomfortable weather and uncompetitive games.
It’s possible Smart will choose to reward the fans by allowing his team to wear the alternate jerseys for what figures to be another home blowout.
RELATED: Kirby Smart makes true feelings known on black jerseys
The No. 5-ranked Bulldogs (9-1, 7-1 SEC) have clinched a spot in the SEC Championship Game where they’ll face No. 1-ranked Alabama at 4 p.m. on Dec. 1.
First things first, Georgia looks to finish the regular season strong against the Minutemen (4-7) and rival Georgia Tech (6-4) on Nov. 24 at noon.
Smart said after Georgia beat Auburn 27-10 on Saturday night that his team remains a work in progress.
RELATED: Shakeup in Georgia football secondary
The UMass game should afford Smart to provide playing time to more backups and young players.
RELATED: Kirby Smart touts ‘on-the-job training’ for Justin Fields
Against the spread
Georgia is 6-3 against the spread:
Georgia -48 over Austin Peay (Loss, 45-0)
Georgia -9 over South Carolina (Won, 41-17)
Georgia -34 over Middle Tennessee (Won, 49-7)
Georgia -14.5 over Missouri (Loss, 43-29)
Georgia -30.5 over Tennessee (Loss, 38-12)
Georgia -26 over Vanderbilt (Won, 41-13)
Georgia -7 over LSU (Loss, 16-36)
Georgia -7 over Florida (Won, 36-17)
Georgia -9.5 over Kentucky (Won, 34-17)
Georgia -13.5 over Auburn (Won, 27-10).
UMass is 4-7 against the spread, but the Minuteman had won back-to-back games for the fist time this season before losing to BYU on Saturday, 35-16.
Other SEC games
(according to VegasInsider.com)
Missouri -5 at Tennessee
Middle Tennessee at Kentucky -14
Liberty at Auburn -29
UAB at Texas A&M (TBA)
Arkansas at Mississippi State -19.5
Rice at LSU -43
Ole Miss at Vanderbilt -2.5
The Citadel at Alabama (TBA)
UT-Chattanooga at South Carolina (TBA)
Georgia football stories
QB Justin Fields recipient of great ‘on-the-job training’
WATCH: Jake Fromm handle Auburn postgame questions
Report Card shows Bulldogs must continue to improve
Georgia football tailback D’Andre Swift reveals serious surgery
Bulldogs continue march toward December with Auburn win
GAME BALL: D’Andre Swift lights up Sanford Stadium in fourth quarter
Kirby Smart says nothing comfortable about 17-point lead late vs. Auburn
Georgia football keeps rolling with 27-10 win over Auburn
INSTANT ANALYSIS: No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs make their case vs. No. 24 Auburn
RECAP: Georgia gain momentum vs. Auburn with 27-10 win
WATCH: Auburn DE Big Kat Bryant ejected for targeting against Jake Fromm
