It is true that head coach Billy Napier of the Florida Gators is feeling the heat early in his second season. A Week 1 NCAA Football Betting loss at Utah turned up the flames. Florida got an empty-calorie blowout win last week against the FCS McNeese Cowboys. Napier desperately brought in transfer QB Graham Mertz from the Wisconsin Badgers. Like his head coach, Mertz is taking his share of heat. Consider Mertz never lived up to billing at Wisconsin. Now, Saturday brings a chance for Napier and Mertz to convert the skeptics.
Tennessee Volunteers vs. Florida Gators Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Saturday, September 16, 2023, 7 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL |
| TV Coverage: | ESPN |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | -7 ( -110 ) | 57½ ( -110 ) | -290 |  |
| Florida | +7 ( -110 ) | 57½ ( -110 ) | +235 | |
| ||||
Tennessee Volunteers Team Overview
Last game, the Tennessee Volunteers won 30-13 against the Austin Peay Governors as 48.5-point home favorites. The game went under the offshore betting total of 66.5. Tennessee has a record of 2-0 straight up, 1-1 against the spread, and 1-1 over/under the total. Tennessee ranks 25th for total offense, 80th for passing, 3rd for rushing, and 32nd for scoring. Defensively, they rank 33rd overall, 49th against the pass, 38th against the rush, and 24th for points allowed. Also, Tennessee ranks 119th for fewest turnovers lost and 107th for takeaways. The Volunteers’ 30-13 win over the Governors came with a yield of 260 passing yards and a touchdown.
Of major concern is that it was similar to last year when they ranked 128th of 133 FBS teams. Last week’s win over Virginia saw that Tennessee effectively limited the Cavaliers to 106 yards in the air. Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III completed 21 passes for 228 yards and two scores. Also, the long reception traveled 43 yards, mostly after the catch, by tight end McCallan Castles.
Florida Gators Team Overview
Last game, the Florida Gators won 49-7 against the McNeese Cowboys as 48.5-point home favorites. The game was pushed against a total of 56. Florida has a record of 1-1 straight up, 0-2 against the spread, and 0-1 over/under the total. Florida ranks 40th for total offense, 37th for passing, 60th for rushing, and 66th for scoring. Defensively, they rank 6th overall, 9th against the pass, 27th against the rush, and 37th for points allowed. Also, Florida ranks 61st for fewest turnovers lost and 115th for takeaways.
Namely, Montrell Johnson ran for 119 yards and two scores, setting the tone for a 327-yard ground attack. The Gators beat McNeese 49-7 and ended a four-game skid. Florida won for the first time since pummeling South Carolina 38-6 on Nov. 11, 2022.
Following a humbling loss at then-No. 14 Utah, Florida sought to establish its run-first identity. Additionally, they wanted to gain some much-needed confidence before hosting the ninth-ranked Volunteers. Tennessee last won in Gainesville in 2003. Consider UT has dropped nine straight at Florida Field.
Overall, Mertz completed 14 of 17 passes for 193 yards, with the throw to Pearsall being his longest and last of the night. Backup Max Brown took over late in the third. At the same time, Etienne ran 11 times for 84 yards. Webb added 71 yards and two TDs on 14 carries.
Tennessee at Florida SBG Free Picks
Specifically, Tennessee has reached a higher NCAA Football Betting level than Florida. The Vols are the better team with more momentum in this matchup.
Tennessee at Florida SBG Best Bet: Tennessee Volunteers.