Florida at Tennessee – College Football Predictions
The Game
Time for some gold old-fashioned hate, yo.
The Gators and Vols are struggling yet BOTH squads are sitting at 2-1 thanks for some early season beatings of lesser competition. Florida was upset by Kentucky in their only real test so far whilst the Vols were pasted by the Mountaineers. Get ready for guys to play with the white-hot intensity of 40,000 suns!
The Details
Florida -4.5 Tennessee (46.5) cfb
MEGALOCKS LINE – Florida -4
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: Florida 25.5 Tennessee 21
The Match-Up:
Florida offense vs Tennessee defense
The Gators’ offense has had a tough time piling up yards this season (#13 total offense in SEC). QB Feleipe Franks is completing just 53% (!) of his passes but has thrown for 9 TDs (2 INT). The RB group is pretty deep but nobody has emerged as a true #1 as of yet. No WR has yet to bag more than 130 yards over three games. The good news is that they still managed to put up 48 on Colorado St, although to be fair, they did that with the help of a pair of non-offensive TDs. The Vols have only allowed 3 points COMBINED in their past two games. Just keep it between us that those opponents were UTEP and something called East Tennessee St. We like the intensity that HC Pruitt has brought to the defense and were impressed by how they held up in the first half vs a great West Virginia offense. Better times are coming. As far as this week, we find it hard to see the Gators going nuts. The key will be for them to pound the run game and keep that Volunteer defense on the field as much as possible. Tennessee will be hoping to keep Franks in tough 3rd down situations and force a turnover or three.
Tennessee offense vs Florida defense
It’s early but QB Jarrett Guarantano has looked good so far completing 72% of his passes with 0 (!) INTs in 54 attempts. The Vols also have a deep stable of running backs and just might have more overall talent than the Gators at that position. While it’s true that they do not have a Benny Snell on the roster, keep in mind that Kentucky steamrolled the Gators for over 300 yards on the ground AT Florida. Another thing to note is that JG does not have the mobility of the Cats’ QB Touchdown Terry Wilson. Bottom line. Tennessee can do work vs the Gators because they are talented at RB and have some WRs that demand attention from the Florida secondary. The biggest concern is the suspect Vols offensive line holding up against the Florida PENETRATION.
Trends, Intangibles and More!
Florida beat Tennessee last year on a last play Hail Mary……It’s just a tidbit….not meant to raise the “revenge” flag because that is almost always a load of crap…..Florida has won 12 of the last 13 meetings between these two teams.
Summary
These teams just might be more evenly matched than it first appears. Tennessee really needs this game if they want to become bowl eligible because their next four opponents are Georgia, Auburn, ROLL TIDE and South Carolina. Yes, the SEC is nasty.
This feels like a street-fight with the Gators coming out on top in a single-digit fashion due to their overall roster depth.
Conclusion
Official play: None.
Side: None.
Total: Lean to first half under.
Note:
‘Lean’ implies we are comfortable suggesting ‘small potatoes’ on the game. Nothing more. < but always stay tuned for updates >
‘Slight lean’ implies we are almost certain to avoid the game and/or total from a betting standpoint even for ‘small potatoes’. We give an opinion for those who need to get down and want advice.