Michigan vs. Florida Total Pick
Will the defenses shine when No. 11 Michigan and No. 17 Florida collide on Saturday at 3:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Michigan is the favorite in this game, as the Wolverines are getting odds of -5 points against the Gators. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 43 points. These two last met in the 2016 Citrus Bowl, with Michigan getting a 41-7 win. This game will take place from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and will air live on ABC.
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Michigan is coming off a 10-3 record in 2016. The Wolverines were 9-4 with the over last season, which was surprising given how good their defense was. Michigan allowed just 12.5 points and 253 yards per game last season, but the unit loses 10 starters. Offensively, Michigan averaged 40.3 points per game. Still, U-M is looking for more from its offense. Wilton Speight hasn’t been named the starter yet despite throwing for 2,538 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. The Wolverines lose their top three receivers from last year. On the ground, Michigan will probably use a committee in the backfield.
Florida is coming off a 9-4 record last season in which the Gators were 9-4 with the under. The Gators also had a dominant defense last year, allowing just 17.9 points and 299 yards per game despite being in the SEC. Despite losing some key talent from the unit, Florida expects its defense to be very strong once again. Offensively, Florida was a mess last year, averaging only 23.9 points per game. For Saturday, Florida is already taking a step backwards, as 2016’s leading receiver (Antonio Callaway) and leading rusher (Jordan Scarlett) are both suspended for this game. Florida will also be working in a new starting quarterback in Felipe Franks, a redshirt freshman.
This game has a lot of name power based on program history, but both teams have a lot of questions marks, especially on offense. Florida was a train wreck on offense last year and it’s hard to imagine it will be much better this week with a first-time starter at QB and two key starters suspended. Michigan has questions on defense given the loss of starters, but the Wolverines have recruited well on the defensive side of the ball. Michigan’s bigger questions to me come on offense and finding playmakers. I see the Wolverines struggling with this Florida defense as well. This game could be a field-goal fest.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: MICHIGAN/FLORIDA UNDER 43