Free NCAA Football Prediction: Owls vs. Gators Odds
Looking for Florida Atlantic Owls vs. Florida Gators free picks? College football betting sees the Owls taking on the Gators on Saturday, September 4th at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football game Week 1 predictions like this Florida Atlantic Florida free pick.
College Football Handicapping Analysis: Week 1
Florida Atlantic Owls (0-0) vs. Florida Gators (0-0)
Date: Saturday, September 4, 2021
Time: 7:30 pm EST
Venue: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
NCAA Football ATS Spread Odds: Gators -24.5 | Owls +24.5
NCAA Football Moneyline Odds: Gators -2400 Owls +1300
NCAA Betting Total Odds: O/U – 52
Week 1 college football sees the Florida Atlantic Owls and Florida Gators meet at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
After stumbling through late 2020 assignments, then losing several key players, Florida breaks in new pieces Saturday. The biggest question is how touted QB Emory Jones will fare. Jones has donned Gator blue since 2018, shining as a backup, but now faces leadership pressure for an offensive-minded group.
The Florida Atlantic Owls will test Jones behind a slew of return talent from the nation’s no. 10 ranked defense.
Though the competitive gap is cavernous between C-USA & SEC fare, if the Gators lose focus vs. FAU the massive Florida wager line could be upset.
The Florida Gators are favored by -24.5 in this state rivalry matchup.
Florida Atlantic Owls
The 2020 Florida Atlantic Owls began and ended around defense. Head coach Willie Taggart instilled ball-hawking philosophy to his group that allowed just 17.4 ppg to stamp another winning season at 5-4.
Offensive mishaps, particularly with the passing game, however, limited the most recent FAU run and the Owls have lost four straight. While no one predicts Florida Atlantic victory this weekend, FAU does return 13 of its top 14 tacklers and will give the spread a nice test.
Florida Atlantic hasn’t named its starting quarterback, though incumbents Nick Tronti and Javion Posey battle former Miami Hurricane N’Kosi Perry for the opening job. Last season, Tronti led the way for an Owls group that averaged just 19 points and 325 yards per game. Expect FAU to expirement at QB this weekend.
Passing issues covered, C-USA star RB Johnny Ford joins Florida Atlantic’s credible backfield, and could be their top offensive option vs. Florida.
Florida Gators
After flirting with national prominence for two seasons, UF hurdled Georgia in 2020 before losing in a wild Atlanta shootout vs. Alabama. As mentioned, several key names from that UF group are gone, and the rebuild starts Saturday.
Last fall’s Gator offering was offensively inclined. Kyle Trask spearheaded a 39.8 ppg blitz which fell just short of the SEC title. Emory Jones hopes to pick up what Trask left, and add mobility to the mix. In his 24 collegiate games, Jones offers 514 rushing yards and six ground scores to prime his great expectations.
Wide reciever Jacob Copeland figures to be Jones’ top target while Dameon Pierce, Malik Davis, and Demarkcus Bowman occupy a loaded UF backfield
After allowing 30.8 ppg last year to the nation’s best programs, Florida returns three of its top four linebackers. Kaiir Elam and Zachary Carter Jr. should add enough midfield and deep pressure to negate any FAU offense -though the meshing Gators may allow an early mishap Saturday.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- Florida Atlantic are 0-11 SU in their last 11 games against an opponent in the Southeastern conference.
- Florida Atlantic are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games played in September.
- Florida Atlantic are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games played in week 1.
- Florida Atlantic are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games.
- Florida are 12-4 SU in their last 16 games.
- Florida are 11-1 SU in their last 12 games at home.
Free Week 1 NCAA Football Pick
Saturday’s line is challenging, but attainable for the rebuilding Gators.
4* Free Week 1 NCAA Betting Pick:
Yes, Florida has a massive spread this weekend and is testing several new parts. And yes, FAU returns almost every starter from an excellent 2020 defense. Those factors cast reasonable doubt on UF’s ability to cover, but don’t fade the Gators here. The talent gap between top SEC schools and Group of Five competition is too vast to trust FAU against the number.
That stated, take Florida with the Cover.
Owls vs. Gators Free Score Prediction: Florida Gators Cover -24.5
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