TV: ESPN
Spread: TEX A&M -1
Total: 50.5
M/L: TEX A&M -119, FLA -101
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
FLORIDA
The Gators won their week one matchup against Bowling Green, winning by a score of 27-14. The win moved Florida to the 24th overall rank in the AP poll and 23rd in the USA Today Poll.
Mike Gillislee ran for a career high 148 yards with two TDs. Gillislee spent the last three years playing behind Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey, but rushed for TD runs of 15 and 38 yards in the second quarter.
Coach Will Muschamp was pleased, but not content: “We need to develop toughness in our program…we did run for over 200 yards, which is good.”
Take wins as they come. There were plenty of mistakes both offensively and defensively, but the Gators won their 23rd consecutive season opener, which is the second longest streak in the Nation behind only Nebraska, who has won 27 straight.
The game wouldn’t have been won if not for the two missed field goals by Frankie Hammond of Bowling Green.
“We’ve struggled with field goals for three years,” Falcons coach Dave Clawson said, “…we had a chance to be down just four at the half. That was big.”
The Gators are still settling a QB controversy, and they alternated Jacoby Brissett and Jeff Driskel. Driskel seemed to take the job, but Muschamp said the battle remains on-going. Driskel played WR in the first quarter and played QB the second quarter.
“I felt like the rhythm of the game dictated that we were going to need some pocket movement…and Jeff gave us that better opportunity.”
Pocket movement will remain a key for the Gators, and Driskel certainly had the more impressive game, throwing for 114 yards on 10 of 16 passing.
Still, Gillislee is likely the key to the Gators attack and will look to run it down the throat of Texas A & M this week, in an attempt to pull a win off in a game that college football oddsmaker have set at nearly even, giving a one point edge to A&M.
TEXAS A&M
The Aggies didn’t play last week, as their game against Louisiana Tech was postponed due to the onslaught of Hurricane Isaac.
The Aggies lack depth this year, and just can’t contend in a conference like the SEC with such a lack of depth. They couldn’t even get away with it in the Big 12. Athlon magazine predicts a 7-5 record for A&M this year with a 3-5 finish in the SEC. Still, they have enough talent to remain competitive with most teams, and college football odds for the week indicate this, as the Gators are a good team to be favored against.
The Aggies’ up-tempo offense will cause problems for most teams in the NCAA. It is their defense which must be strong in a conference that features so many juggernauts.
Florida Betting Trends:
Gators are 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 games in Sept, 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 following an SU win, 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 after accumulating 200+ rushing yards previous game, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 on the road, 0-4-1 ATS in their last 5 after allowing less than 20 points in previous game.
Texas A&M Betting Trends:
Aggies are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 overall games, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 in Sept, 1-7 ATS in their last 8 vs teams with winning records, 0-7-1 ATS in their last 8 conference games.
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