The No. 13 Florida Gators will begin their season at home against the visiting Florida Atlantic Owls. Will the Gators demolish FAU at home? Or will the Owls trip up Florida in Gainesville? Check out our preview of this game below.
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Betting Preview for the Florida Atlantic Owls vs Florida Gators NCAA Week 1 College Football Game on September 4, 2021
Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville
When: Saturday, September 4, 2021, 7:30 PM ET
Line: Florida Atlantic Owls (+23) vs. Florida Gators (-23) – view all 2021 NCAAF lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Florida Atlantic Owls (+23)
Record: 0-0 Overall / 0-0 Conference
Almost everyone will be on the Florida boat for this one, but don’t ignore the Owls too much. If there’s one advantage the Owls have over Florida, it’s likely the experience of this bunch. That group is also welcoming a better option at the quarterback slot with Miami transfer N’Kosi Perry. He’s seen as an upgrade under center for a Florida Atlantic team that needs it. The Owls were only 115th in the nation last season with only 18.9 points per game and 112th with 324.6 total yards per contest, in part because they didn’t have a lot of plays on the ground. But this time, the Owls should be able to fly higher with their rushing attack that also benefits from another transfer in former USF running back Johnny Ford. The Owls’ defense also gets back all but one of their 14 starters in 2020 when they were tied for most sacks (25.0) in Conference USA.
The under is 3-1 in Florida Atlantic’s last four games overall.
Betting on the Florida Gators (-23)
Record: 0-0 Overall / 0-0 Conference
Gone are some of the Gators’ stalwarts on offense in 2020 with Kyle Trask, Kadarius Toney, Trevon Grimes as well, and Kyle Pitts no longer with Florida. However, the offense should still be fine in Gainesville. Stepping in for Trask is Emory Jones, who has the potential to be one of the best in the SEC, at least. Although it may take some time before Jones and the offense develop into a legitimate force, it’s another story for the team’s defense. Florida’s stop unit should be a menace for opposing teams from the get-go. Defensive end Zachary Carter Sr. is going to be the anchor of this defense that is expected to make a huge leap after a letdown performance in 2020.
Florida is 6-2-2 against the spread in its last 10 games as the home team. The Gators also have gone 9-1 straight-up in those contests.
Writer’s Prediction
Florida wins, 37-14.
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