Tennessee at Florida Betting Lines
The Florida Gators host the Tennessee Volunteers this Saturday afternoon in Gainesville, FL at 3:30 PM EST. Both teams kicks off their SEC schedule with this game and both teams enter the game at 2-0 on the season. Florida is currently listed as a 9-point favorite over Tennessee. As of the writing of this article the total for the game has not been posted, but this will be updated when it becomes available.
Tennessee
Tennessee is 2-0 to start the season for the first time since 2006. Much of that success can be attributed to starting quarterback Tyler Bray, who is off to one of the hottest starts in the nation. After Saturday’s 45-23 victory over Cincinnati, a game many (including myself) thought was a potential trap for the Vols, Bray is 51-of-65 (78.5%) passing for 698 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions.
The passing game will again be key this weekend, but Bray and company will be facing a fast, athletic Florida secondary. Bray needs to continue to make good decisions and remain calm under pressure in the pocket. Running back Tauren Poole will still be a big part of the offense, but the first two games of the season make it appear that the Vols are going to lean heavily on the passing game this season.
Defensively the Vols have stepped up in big situations (see: two 4th-and-short stops last week), but they looked sloppy at times. Florida’s skill players have the potential to make them pay for the kinds of missed tackles we saw from them last Saturday against Cincinnati.
Florida
The Gators have been nothing if not dominating over their first two games, albeit against some weak competition. Quarterback John Brantley has been efficient, but careless, completing 33-of-49 attempts for one score and two interceptions. Luckily, Florida hasn’t needed him to do much. The Gators’ rushing attack has looked unstoppable, racking up 300 yards last week versus UAB. Running backs Chris Rainey and Mike Gillislee each averaged over seven yards per carry and four different backs scored touchdowns.
It’s going to be hard for anyone to stop the Rainey-Gillislee combination on the ground. Brantley just needs to take care of the ball and make plays when the Gators need him to on passing downs. Tennessee’s defense will definitely provide more stopping power than UAB’s or Florida Atlantic’s, but the Florida offensive line has looked strong and the Gators have shown they aren’t afraid to grind the game away on the ground.
Florida’s defense has looked great, giving up just three points so far this season, but the level of competition they’ve faced brings into question just how good this unit is. They’ll have a real test on Saturday, particularly in the secondary with the way that Tyler Bray has been throwing the ball.
Predictions
Florida is the favorite, but Tennessee is the only one of the two teams that has played a quality opponent. Expectations for both programs are sky-high right now, but obviously one squad is going to come up short Saturday. I like what I’ve seen from Bray, but the Volunteer defense has me worried about giving up big plays. I do think the game will be closer than it has been in recent years, but I still think Florida has the edge and would surprised to see the Vols knock the Gators off in Gainesville.
