Tennessee vs. Florida Prediction
No. 11 Tennessee heads down to Gainesville to face unranked Florida at 7:00 PM ET this Saturday on ESPN. Can the Volunteers tackle the Gators for the second straight year as 6-point road favorites this weekend?
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
175 Tennessee Volunteers (-6.5) at 176 Florida Gators (+6.5); o/u 56
7:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 16, 2023
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL
Tennessee vs Florida Public Betting Information
As of this writing, the public is split but favoring the Gators in this game. Our CFB Public Betting page shows that 53% of public bets are on Florida +6. Note that these numbers are subject to change and could be different once game time rolls around.
Tennessee Volunteers Game Notes
Tennessee improved to 2-0 after defeating Austin Peay at home last week, but they failed to cover the lofty 48-point margin. The Volunteers were tested through the air by the Governors, and they’ll have some things to clean up on the back end heading into the Swamp this weekend.
Joe Milton will be the player to watch for Tennessee, as the senior quarterback will be making his return to his home state for this rivalry matchup. Milton came on for Hendon Hooker last season, and led the Vols to an Orange Bowl victory in Miami over Clemson, and he could be in for a big game when he comes back to the Sunshine State this weekend. Through two starts, Milton has thrown for 429 passing yards, with four touchdowns to no interceptions, and three rushing scores.
Florida Game Notes
Florida moved to 1-1 after taking down McNeese State at home last week, just missing the massive 47-point margin on a backdoor cover from a late touchdown. The Gators avenged a season-opening loss in Salt Lake City to Utah by dispatching the Cowboys, and they’ll now have to rev things up again with Tennessee on its way to town.
How well the Gators contain Joe Milton will be the biggest factor in this contest, but the biggest question may be can Graham Mertz win the big game? The former Wisconsin QB wasn’t asked to do much in Madison, with their physicality leading the way, but you’re going to need more than that in the SEC, and after delivering mixed results in the loss to the Utes, how well he performs in this home spot will go a long way. Through two contests, Mertz has passed for 526 yards, with two touchdowns to an interception, with one rushing score.
Tennessee vs Florida Betting Trends
Tennessee has hit the Team Total Over in 6 of their last 7 games.
Florida has hit the Team Total Over in their last 5 games
Florida has hit the 1Q Moneyline in their last 3 games at home
Tennessee vs Florida Betting Prediction
Tennessee’s pass defense was exposed a bit by Austin Peay, and I believe it could create an angle for this First Saturday in September battle. The Vols come into this contest looking to replicate last season’s success under new QB Joe Milton, and a win here could plateau UT into the top ten rankings, while the Gators will be looking to remind the conference and avoid another slow 1-2 start. Both sides need this one for different reasons, and while I believe Tennessee will win this game, the Over may bring a bit more security, as this one should come down to the fourth quarter.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 3 PREDICTION: TENNESSEE/FLORIDA OVER 56