CFB odds: The 2013 college football season was one of stunning humiliation for head coach Will Muschamp and the Florida Gators. The Gators entered the 2013 season as a favorite to contend for the Southeastern Conference championship as they were coming off an 11-2 season that ended with a berth in the Sugar Bowl. A combination of injuries, lackluster play, stubbornness to change offensively, and the tough SEC schedule did the Gators in as they finished 4-8 straight up and 4-8 against the spread, including a jaw dropping home loss to 1AA Georgia Southern. Attendance and faith in Muschamp has plummeted and the third year coach is on one of the hottest seats in the land. The question now is whether or not Florida suffered through a one year “perfect storm” or if last year was a portent of things to come. Florida opened at BetDSI as a +6500 choice to win the BCS national championship with an over under win total of 7.5 -130 over and +110 under.
Driskel Leads Experienced Roster
Junior QB Jeff Driskel was injured and out for most of last season but is back with hope under new offensive coordinator Kurt Roper, who arrives well-credentialed from Duke. Roper is charged with ushering the Gators out of their “Neanderball” style of running and relying on defense to win. The offense is expected to join the twenty first century and have a more sophisticated and aggressive style. The Gators have seven starters back on both offense and defense. Defense is not a problem as even with all of the struggles last year Florida ranked eighth in the nation for total defense.
Handicapper’s Notebook
Florida has been a terrible overlay on the board as a favorite with just six payouts in their last 20 games as a chalk with just seven out of their last 18 games as a chalk going over the total. The Gators have lost just two out of their last eight games against the spread as a dog with nine out of their last 11 games as a dog going under the total.
Our Prognosis
Florida always has talent and is coming off a “Murphy’s Law” type of season in 2013. We like this Florida team to go over the 7.5 win total and to be a dark horse contender in the SEC East Division.
