No. 19 Florida Gators at No. 14 Tennessee Volunteers (-6.5)
3:30 p.m., CBS
I had Tennessee over Virginia Tech two weeks ago, and after a rough first quarter in which the Volunteers trailed 14-0, they came back to deliver the win. That looks even better now after Virginia Tech beat Boston College 49-0. In Week 3, I had Ohio plus four touchdowns, as Tennessee was in a massive flat spot, having just played in front of 156,000 fans and having four huge games on deck. It was an enjoyable game for me to watch. This week, I am back on the Vols.
Florida has perhaps the best defense in the country and is holding opponents to 286 yards below their season average and to just 130 total yards per game, but the Gators have taken on three flawed offenses. I am concerned about how Tennessee's offensive line, which has allowed seven sacks, will perform against a Florida defense that has recorded 16 sacks in just three games. Senior quarterback Joshua Dobbs' mobility will help. On the flip side, Tennessee has my No. 15-rated defense, holding foes to 116 yards per game, but it will be without cornerback Cameron Sutton. Tennessee does have a solid edge on offense, and Florida will be without quarterback Luke Del Rio.
The Vols led 27-14 last season and were in control, but they fell apart late on the road, allowing a 63-yard touchdown on fourth-and-long after a short pass with 1:45 left. Yes, I know that Florida has won 11 in a row in the series, but that makes this one of the most important games of the year for the home team.
ATS pick: Tennessee
Score: Tennessee 23, Florida 10
3:30 p.m., CBS
I had Tennessee over Virginia Tech two weeks ago, and after a rough first quarter in which the Volunteers trailed 14-0, they came back to deliver the win. That looks even better now after Virginia Tech beat Boston College 49-0. In Week 3, I had Ohio plus four touchdowns, as Tennessee was in a massive flat spot, having just played in front of 156,000 fans and having four huge games on deck. It was an enjoyable game for me to watch. This week, I am back on the Vols.
Florida has perhaps the best defense in the country and is holding opponents to 286 yards below their season average and to just 130 total yards per game, but the Gators have taken on three flawed offenses. I am concerned about how Tennessee's offensive line, which has allowed seven sacks, will perform against a Florida defense that has recorded 16 sacks in just three games. Senior quarterback Joshua Dobbs' mobility will help. On the flip side, Tennessee has my No. 15-rated defense, holding foes to 116 yards per game, but it will be without cornerback Cameron Sutton. Tennessee does have a solid edge on offense, and Florida will be without quarterback Luke Del Rio.
The Vols led 27-14 last season and were in control, but they fell apart late on the road, allowing a 63-yard touchdown on fourth-and-long after a short pass with 1:45 left. Yes, I know that Florida has won 11 in a row in the series, but that makes this one of the most important games of the year for the home team.
ATS pick: Tennessee
Score: Tennessee 23, Florida 10
