Tennessee Volunteers vs. Florida Gators Prediction, Pick and Preview, September 25 (9/25): NCAAF

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Sep 25, 2021, 10:04:28 AM

Credit: photo by Cattie McMekin-USA TODAY Sports

Odds

Time	7:00 p.m. EST
Volunteers money line	+450
Volunteers spread	+14.5 (-110)
Gators money line	-650
Gators spread	-14.5 (-110)
Over / under	63.5

Preview

The Florida Gators will host the Tennessee Volunteers from the Swamp this weekend. The Vols are entering off of shutout win, while the Gators will enter on the heels of a tough, respectable loss to Alabama.

Offensive matchup

Tennessee

Hendon Hooker went 17-25 for 199 passing yards with three touchdowns passes, while adding 64 rushing yards and a score on the ground in his first start for the Vols. Hooker brings more versatility to the position than Michigan transfer Joe Milton and incumbent starter Harrison Bailer.

Tiyon Evans went for 120 rushing yards on 16 carries in the opener against Bowling Green, while Jabari Small added 117 yards on 22 carries in the same bout. Jaylen Wright led the backfield in rushing week with 43 yards and a score. Senior wideout Velus Jones Jr. is coming off of his best performance of the season, catching three passes for 65 receiving yards, including a 45-yard touchdown catch. Junior tight end Jacob Warren has scored each of the past two games.

Florida

Emory Jones has been decent through the first three games, but he played admirably against the Tide. His passing numbers weren't pretty, but Jones went 18-28 for 195 yards with an interception, but he added 76 rushing yards and a score.

Jones leads the Gators with 235 rushing yards, but Malik Davis and Dameon Pierce have done a solid job out of the backfield. Davis ran for 104 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown in the opener against FAU, and he had a strong performance against Bama, gaining 86 yards, including a 26-yard touchdown run. Jacob Copeland had a quiet weekend against Alabama, but he leads the team in receiving after a big five-catch, 175-yard performance against USF, including a 75-yard touchdown catch.

Defensive matchup

Tennessee gave up 41 points to Pittsburgh, but they've only allowed six points in their other two games. They held Tennessee Tech to less than 200 yards of total offense, and forced four turnovers.

Alabama QB Bryce Jones tossed three quick first quarter touchdowns, before the Gators really shored things up defensively, holding them to under 120 yards over the final three quarters.

Prediction

Both teams have played a physical style through three weeks, alleviating the pressure away from their quarterbacks, and leaning on the ground game. We don't expect Florida to drop a second straight game in the Swamp, but it could just be a slugfest. Spot Tennessee the 15 points, and take their game spread.

PICK: Tennessee Volunteers +14.5

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