Florida Gators vs. Tennessee Volunteers Predictions

The Tennessee Volunteers host the Florida Gators on Saturday in a game that can be seen on CBS.  Both teams come into this game unbeaten so this is a huge early season matchup in the SEC East. It is a series that has been completely dominated of late as the Gators have won the last 11 meetings. Oddsmakers think this could be the year that the Volunteers break the streak as Tennessee is listed as a 6.5 point home favorite.  Let’s look at the game and college football picks.

College Football Odds by BestOnlineSportsbooks.info

Tennessee Volunteers -6.5, total 43.5

Dominating Florida Defense

The Gators have given up a total of 14 points this season. That is not 14 points per game, but 14 points all season. In their three games they are allowing an averaged of 4.7 points per game which leads the nation. “This is probably the best defense we faced since I have been here,” Tennessee coach Butch Jones said. “They make you earn everything that you get. I have never heard of a team holding another team to 53 yards on defense.”

Last week Florida held North Texas to a total of 53 yards of total offense. The Florida defense will go up against a Tennessee offense that has struggled at times this season. “It’s going to be a great challenge for us,” Jones said. “We have to have a great week of “preparation. I have a tremendous amount of respect for their football team.”

Gators Backup Quarterback

Florida will be without starting quarterback Luke Del Rio who was injured in last week’s win against North Texas. Head coach Jim McElwain said Austin Appleby will be under center on Saturday. A crowd of more than 100,000 is expected at Neyland Stadium on Saturday. “The atmosphere up there is crazy,” Florida safety Marcus Maye said. “It’s hostile, 100,000 plus screaming and loud. It’s something you’ve got to experience, you’ve got to be there.”

Appleby is a transfer from Purdue and he has previous starting experience having started 11 games for the Boilermakers. Appleby said that he doesn’t expect the game plan to be different with him under center. “I don’t think the game plan’s going to change at all,” Appleby said.

Game Trends

The Gators are 4-0 against the spread at sites offering odds and sportsbook reviews in the last 4 meetings at Tennessee. The road team is 6-1-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings. The Gators are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 road games. The Gators are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 conference games. The Volunteers are 5-1 against the spread at sports betting sites in their last 6 conference games.

The Under is 5-2 in the Gators last 7 road games. The Over is 19-7 in the Volunteers last 26 games in September. The Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in this series.

College Football Picks

I will go with the Gators plus the points in this game and also play the game under the total.

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