Miami (OH) at Florida Odds
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The Florida Gators will get the 2010 season underway this Saturday when they host the Miami Redhawks. The Gators finished the 2009 season with a huge win over Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl to finish up the year at 13-1. The Gators only loss of the season came in the SEC Championship game against eventual BCS Champion, Alabama. The Redhawks were a miserable 1-11 in 2009, with their only win coming at home against Toledo.
The big story line in this one, is what will the Florida Gators look like without Tim Tebow running the show at quarterback. Junior Chris Brantley is the new man in charge, and he will shift the Gators offense into a more prototypical passing offense, much like what the Gators looked like when Chris Leak was the starting quarterback. With Chris Rainey making the switch to wide receiver, I am also very excited to see what junior Jeffery Demps can provide the Gators out of the backfield this season, as he has the potential to be one of the top running backs in all of the SEC. The defense has just five starters back, but with the talent they have coming in each year, they should once again have one of the best defenses in the country.
What a rough way to start the 2010 season for the Redhawks, as they have little to no chance at winning this game. The Redhawks however should be a much more competitive team in 2010, as they bring back 19 starters from the 2009 season. Miami averaged just 70 yards a game on the ground last year, so if they are going to move the ball against the Gators defense they are going to have to do it behind the arm of sophomore quarterback Zac Dysert, who should make some solid improvements in his second full season as the starter. The Redhawks defense will have its hands full against the Gators offense, as I look for Florida to pound the ball and force Miami to try and stop the run.
Looking at the Odds: I think it is a pretty safe bet to say the Gators are going to win this game, but when you look at the spread of 35 points, things get a little more interesting. I don’t think the Redhawks are going to be able do much of anything on offense against the Gators defense, but my concern comes on what will the Gators offense bring to the table, as they likely will have to put up at least 42+ points to cover. If I had to bet on this game, I would take the Gators to cover, but unless you have to have action on the game, I would just look for a different play this weekend. If you are going to bet the Gators to cover I think you have to go with the OVER 53 points as well in this one.
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