Former Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen takes on his old outfit when his Florida Gators hit Starkville to battle the Bulldogs Saturday evening. How are playing this SEC contest with our free college football pick?
College Football Betting Odds
Week 5 college football betting odds opened Mississippi State at -7.5 over Florida, with an over/under of 50. The early betting action then bumped the Bulldogs to -8.5.
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Gators-Bulldogs Match-Up
Mississippi State opened its SEC season with a thud, losing at Kentucky last week 28-7. The Bulldogs, favored by 10 points, broke the ice with a touchdown midway through the second quarter and took a 7-7 tie into halftime. But MSU came up empty in the second half, as the offense went dead cold while the Wildcats got their running game going and scored the last three touchdowns of the game.
On the night, in a drizzle, Mississippi State got out-gained by Kentucky 300-201, out-rushed 229-56 and managed just 11 first downs.
In its only other game this season against a Power 5 foe, though, MSU won at Kansas State three weeks ago 31-10. The Bulldogs out-gained those Wildcats that day 538-213 and covered easily as six-point favorites.
Florida, meanwhile, opened its SEC slate three weeks ago with that 27-16 upset loss at home to Kentucky. But the Gators got on the board last week with a 47-21 win over Tennessee. Florida took advantage of six Volunteers turnovers last week, led 33-3 in the third quarter, allowed Tennessee to make the final score slightly more respectable and still covered easily as a four-point favorite.
On the day the Gators out-gained the Vols 387-369 and won the ground battle 201-161. But the turnovers were really the main factor, giving Florida almost a 30-point advantage.
Unfortunately for the Gators, they can’t count on a +5 turnover ratio every week.
Three weeks ago Florida, as a two-touchdown favorite over Kentucky, got out-gained 454-360 and out-rushed 303-128 and lost.
So in their one game so far this season against a common opponent Kentucky, the Bulldogs came out -21 in points and –99 in yards, while the Gators came out -11 in points (thanks in part to one of those fluke fumble touchdowns on the last play of the game) and -96 in yardage.
The Rivalry/Recent History
It’s almost hard to believe but thanks to the SEC’s split schedule these teams haven’t met since 2010, a 10-7 Mississippi State victory in Gainesville. And that’s a long time ago.
Totals Report
Florida’s loss to Kentucky played under a total of 52, while its win over Tennessee played over a total of 46.
The Bulldogs’ win over Kansas State played under a total of 51, and their loss to Kentucky played under a total of 56.
Get more details: Florida at Mississippi State Match-Up
