The SEC offers up a great rivalry match-up this week when Tennessee takes on Florida in the conference opener for both teams Saturday night at the Swamp. The Gators owned the Volunteers for most of this century, but Tennessee beat Florida last year and is favored by a touchdown for Saturday night. Which way are we going here with our free college football betting pick?
NCAAF Betting Odds
The Week 3 college football betting market opened Tennessee as a seven-point road favorite over Florida, with an over/under of right around 58. Early betting action then dipped the Vols to -6.5.
Tennessee-Florida Betting Preview
The Volunteers are 2-0 on the season following an uninspiring 30-13 victory over FCS Austin Peay last week. Tennessee, favored by 48 points, actually trailed the Governors 6-3 well into the second quarter. The Vols later used a 20-0 run to take control but never came close to approaching that spread. Obviously, Tennessee was looking past Austin Peay toward this week’s big game. The Volunteers opened this season with a 49-13 victory over Virginia. Tennessee out-gained the Cavaliers 499-201, ran the ball for 287 yards, and covered at -27. The Vols only returned 12 starters this season from a team that played 11-2 last season. But they did manage to replace QB Hendon Hooker with highly regarded transfer Joe Milton from Michigan. The Gators are 1-1 on the season after defeating FCS McNeese State last week 49-7. Florida led that game 49-0 late but gave up a meaningless Cowboys touchdown with two minutes left to miss the money at -48. The Gators opened this season with a 24-11 loss at Utah. Florida actually out-gained the Utes 346-270 but managed just 13 yards on the ground, missed a short field goal, committed the only turnover of the game, which led to a Utah touchdown, and failed on fourth down three times in Utes territory. That’s why they came up short ATS at +5.5. The Gators only returned 11 starters this season from a team that played 6-7 last year.
Tennessee-Florida Recent History
The Gators beat the Vols 16 out of 17 meetings from 2005-’21, but Tennessee beat Florida last year in Knoxville 38-33. The Volunteers actually led that game late 38-21 before the Gators scored a couple TD’s to make the final tally more interesting.
College Football Betting Trends
Florida is 3-0 ATS in its last three games as a home dog.
Totals Report
Tennessee’s game against Virginia two weeks ago played over a total of 55. Florida’s game against Utah went Under a total of 44.
