One of the marquee matchups of the college football Sportsbook week sees the Michigan Wolverines and Florida Gators face off. However, the Gators will be without 10 suspended players due to an investigation surrounding a debit card scam. These suspensions including last season's leading receiver in Antonio Callaway and leading rusher Jordan Scarlett.
- Florida is 12-0 SU in its last 12 games in Week 1.
- The total has gone OVER in 17 of Michigan’s last 21 games.
- Wilton Speight threw 3 TDs to 4 INTs in his final 3 games last season.
Florida returns a healthy amount of an offense that finished 108th in the country in 2016. Who plays quarterback is anyone’s guess with head coach Jim McElwain saying that we may see Luke Del Rio, Malik Zaire and Feleipe Franks take the field in this one. Franks has been named the starter but that doesn't mean all that much considering how undermanned the offense will be.
Michigan returns fewer starters than any other team in the FBS this season. The mass exodus was especially felt on defense after losing the likes of Jabrill Peppers, Taco Charlton and Chris Wormley. Head coach Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Don Brown are two of the best defensive minds in the game but replacing that many great players isn’t going to be a quick fix.
UPDATE: Florida coach Jim McElwain announced Wednesday that starting RB Jordan Scarlett and WR Rick Wells have been suspended from all team activities.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans looking to side with the Florida Gators in this one found them as 3-point underdogs at Sportsbook. The OVER/UNDER number was slated to open a short time later.
Earlier, OddsShark computer prediction handicapping models run on this game picked a 35-16 victory for the Wolverines. That score may change during the week, if injury or weather factors alter the numbers, so check the college football picks page before game time. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NCAAF matchups here.
Michigan Wolverines vs Florida Gators Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Florida bring a 0-0 record (0-0 ATS) to the Week 1 betting matchup against the 0-0 Michigan Wolverines, who are 0-0 ATS against the spread. OVER/UNDER betting has seen Florida go 0-0 so far and the Wolverines go 0-0. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Florida vs Michigan injuries news.
The power rankings show a disparity between these teams, with the Florida Gators rated this week at No. 48 and the Michigan Wolverines sitting at No. 3.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Florida Gators No. -ranked offense ( PPG) against a Michigan Wolverines defense that ranks No. at PPG. The Florida Gators passing attack has averaged yards per game, more than the Michigan Wolverines give up through the air ( YPG on average).
In comparing defenses, the Michigan Wolverines own the league's No. 37-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 154 yards per game when on the road. Florida, on the other hand, rates No. 87 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Wolverines suffered a loss against Florida State in their last game, falling 33-32 at Hard Rock Stadium.
Iowa didn't make much of a game of it last time out, losing to the Gators as Florida blasted them 30-3.
- Michigan is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
- Michigan is 20-5 SU in its last 25 games
- The total has gone OVER in 17 of Michigan's last 21 games
- Florida is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Florida's last 7 games
Next Betting Matchups
Michigan home to Cincinnati, Saturday, September 9
Florida home to Northern Colorado, Saturday, September 9
