2012 College Football Picks: Florida @ Tennessee Odds and Predictions – Free Football Picks 9/15/2012

2012 College Football Picks: Florida @ Tennessee Vegas Odds and Predictions – Free College Football Picks 9/15/2012: When the 18th-ranked Florida Gators visit the 23rd-ranked Tennessee Volunteers Saturday, something has to give. Tennessee had lost 11 straight games against ranked opponents, while Florida has lost its last nine games against ranked opponents. Of course, the Volunteers have another streak working against them this weekend. Tennessee has lost seven straight games against Florida, including a 33-23 defeat in Gainesville last season. Both teams are undefeated and are attempting to erase some unflattering history, but only one will start the year 3-0 and hang on to their spot in the top 25. Playing in Knoxville, the Volunteers are 2 ½-point favorites.

The two teams have very different styles on offense and very different strengths on defense. Tennessee utilizes a pass-first attack that relies on stretching the field and big plays. Meanwhile, Florida tries to control the game with its rushing attack. Ironically, both defenses have had issues stopping the focal point of the other team’s attack. The Volunteers have gashed by the run, including by the Gators last season. Florida’s secondary, on the other hand, has been susceptible to big plays. Much like last season, this weekend’s meeting could end up being a high-scoring affair. That being said, the two sides will likely put points on the board in very different ways.

For the Volunteers, the combination of quarterback Tyler Bray and receiver Justin Hunter will be crucial. Hunter got hurt in the game against Florida last season, and Bray got hurt later in the season. However, the duo is healthy this time around, and the two connected on three touchdowns in the team’s victory last weekend. Bray, in particular, has been having a stellar season. He has thrown for 643 yards and six scores, while completing 73.8 percent of his passes. With Bray playing so well, the Volunteers’ offense has reached a new level. In terms of firepower, Tennessee has plenty entering this matchup.

Florida’s workhorse in Saturday’s showdown will be running back Mike Gillislee. He is the leading rusher in the SEC, and he has four touchdowns through two games. Coach Will Muschamp has always utilized the running game from his days as an offensive coordinator both to put points on the board and control the tempo. Gillislee has displayed the combination of power and speed that could allow him to be productive back Muschamp’s offense needs. Unfortunately, he will be dealing with a sore groin in Saturday’s matchup. Against a suspect Tennessee run defense, the Florida ground game should be effective. However, a hobbled Gillislee could limit the advantage.

The X-factor in the game could be the players that aren’t on the field for the Gators. Veteran linebacker Jelani Jenkins and cornerback Cody Riggs will both be out, along with five-star freshman linebacker Ronald Powell. A defense at less than full strength is not what Florida needs going up against a hot quarterback in an offense that loves to air the ball out. Bray and company have to be salivating at the chance to go up against a Gators’ defense missing a couple of reliable starters.

In the end, this game has all the makings of a back-and-forth affair. Defense isn’t a strength for either side, and both sides have firepower to work with on offense. If both teams were at full strength, this game would be a coin flip. With Gillislee and the Gators’ defense both dealing with injuries, it tips the scales in favor of Bray, Hunter and the Tennessee offense. All good things must come to an end, and for Florida, their stranglehold on the Volunteers could be doing just that this weekend.

Prediction: Tennessee Volunteers (-2 ½) Cover the Spread 

Florida @ Tennessee Vegas Odds and Total
Line: Tennessee -2.5
Total: Over/Under 47.5
Television: 6PM EST on ESPN

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