Week 1 2012 Bowling Green vs Florida Predictions
The Bowling Green Falcons are returning a lot of talent from last year’s 5-7 team. Their 17 starters are among the most in the nation but it still may not be enough to rise to the top of their division in the MAC.
Bowling Green Falcons vs Florida Gators
Saturday September 1
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium – Gainsville, FL
3:30PM
Moneyline: Florida -6100, Bowling Green +4700
Spread: Florida -28.5
O/U: 47.5
Bowling Green
Beginning on the road at Florida won’t give us a great indicator of where this team is really at because they will probably get run off the field by a Gators team that is looking to prove something.
One area they might have an edge on the Gators is at QB where returning junior starter Matt Schilz is an unheralded performer. Schilz threw for more than 3000 yards last year but he will be missing his top 3 receivers from last season. The top 3 rushers return but the running game is not what makes this team go. If a new crop of receivers emerges then things should be OK…especially in the MAC.
The Falcons have not been an underdog this big in the last 5 seasons…and they don’t really duck the big boys playing teams like Boise State, Mizzou, and Michigan State. Part of me thinks that might make this an opportunity but it also might just be an indicator of how strong people expect the Gators to be. Backing a MAC team visiting the Swamp would be a risky proposition. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Florida
The last two seasons for the Gators have been a nightmare losing a combined 11 games and looking very un-Gatorlike. This year many are expecting the return of the dangerous Gators we are used to . This team returns 10 starters from a defense that is probably the fastest in the country. Are they the best? They are going to have to dominate teams like Bowling Green to prove it.
The big question mark is at QB where the graduated John Brantley never lived up to expectations. Dueling potential starters Jacoby Brissett and Jeff Driskel are top prospects, but the results have not been there…yet They also need to find some answers at RB where the speedy Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps are gone. All that speed never really played out the way they thought…and there is still plenty of it around on the roster.
If the Gators are back this game should help show the rest of the nation. The only risk is that they might be looking ahead to next week’s game against Texas A&M – the Aggies first in the SEC. If they are focused this week should not really be a test…Sorry Falcons fans.
Spread Pick: Florida -28.5
O/U Pick: Over
Score Prediction: Florida 41 – 10