Football Betting Preview

Florida (7-1), -24, 50.5 O/U at Vanderbilt (5-3)
Dudley Field, Nashville, T.N., 8:00PM, Eastern, Saturday
Special From Predictem.com

CLICK HERE TO GET A 50% BETTING BONUS

EASY DEPOSIT OPTIONS

The Florida Gators travel up to Nashville, TN Saturday afternoon in a SEC East matchup with the Vanderbilt Commodores. Florida is playing some of the best football in the nation over the last few weeks climbing in the polls to no. 4 in the nation. Bobby Johnson’s Vanderbilt Commodores look forward to an upset when they get the Gators at home primetime Saturday night.

Florida comes into the contest fresh off their massacre over the Georgia Bulldogs. Georgia was ranked #8 in the nation last week when they battle Florida and were blown away by the Gators 49-10. Florida is undoubtedly one of the hottest teams in college football. In the last 3 weeks, they have scored 51, 63, and 49 points over teams as strong as LSU and Georgia. Florida is averaging 42 points per game and look to light up the scoreboard when they take on the Commodores.

Vanderbilt was the surprise team in the SEC early in the season winning their first 5 games for the first time in school history. Since then Vanderbilt has lost all their momentum dropping 3 straight games including a defeat at home last week to Duke 10-7. The problem has been the offense which has failed to score over 14 points in their last 4 games. Vanderbilt must find some answers if they plan on keeping up with the high power offense of Florida.

Betus.com has the contest favoring the no. 4 ranked Gators by 24 points. Early action has a strong majority of the betting public siding with the Gators due to their strong performances in recent weeks. The over/under total for the matchup has been posted at a mark of 50.5. Moneyline numbers have Florida at -5000 and Vanderbilt at +1800.

Florida is led by Heisman winning QB Tim Tebow. Tebow may not have put up the insane numbers he did a year ago but has still been incredible to say the least. Tebow has thrown for 64% completion on the year for 1569 yards, with 14 TDs, and only 2 picks. Add to the fact he has also carried the ball 94 times for 266 yards with 8 more touchdowns. Florida has also received huge support from breakout tailback Percy Harvin. Harvin has been effective rushing and receiving passes out of the back field. Harvin has breakaway speed that few contenders can defend. Harvin has put together 11 touchdowns this season, 4 on the ground and 7 through the air. If Harvin continues to play at a high level as he has in recent weeks, the Gators will be really tough to defend.

Vanderbilt offense has really struggled in recent weeks due mainly to the fact they have not been able to pass the football. Vanderbilt averages nearly a nation worse at only 110 passing yards per game. Mackenzi Adams and Chris Nickson have both shared time behind center. Nickson is really more of a running quarterback though he has thrown the ball at times as well. Adams is only completing 51% of his passing attempts for 572 yards, 5 TDs, and 5 picks. Nickson has only thrown the ball 70 times completing 36 of those passes for 311 yards, 3 TDs, and 2 picks. Nickson has been able to give some ground support rushing for 312 yards and 6 TDs. The Commodores will be looking for some emerging playmakers this Saturday night in effort to upset the Gators.

Vanderbilt is only averaging 21 points per game along with 251 yards per game in total offense. Both of those numbers are ranked in the bottom 30 teams in college football. However, the Commodores have been strong on the defensive side of the ball. Vanderbilt has not allowed over 24 points in a single game this season and only allows 16 points per game placing them 15th best in the nation. The Commodores defense will need to force some turnovers and keep Florida out of the end zone this weekend.

Despite the fact Florida may have one of the most effective offenses in the country, they also play defense rather well. The Gators have held opposing teams to a mere 11 points per game ranking 5th best in the nation. Also the Gators special teams may go under the radar to much of the nation, but they are possibly the best in the nation. Two weeks ago, Florida blocked 2 consecutive punts inside Kentucky’s own 5 yard line and each resulted in a touchdown. All together Florida has blocked 5 punts this season and punt returner Brandon James has returned 3 for touchdowns. Vanderbilt will have more to worry about than just the Florida offense in terms of scoring come this weekend.

Betting trends… Florida is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games and also 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games on the road. The Gators have went on the over total in 4 of their last 5. Vanderbilt is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games while going on the under total in 5 of their last 5 games. Vanderbilt has also gone on the under total in 9 of their last 11 games. The Commodores are also 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games against the Gators.

Predictem Pick:
Usually you want to catch a largely favored team in an early game, but this one will be primetime 8:00et Saturday night and the Gators will not lose focus. Gators win big (UF -24)