Florida Gators at South Florida Bulls Betting Preview
The #13 Florida Gators (1-0) make a rare non-conference road trip to take on the South Florida Bulls (0-1), meeting up for the first time since 2010 in a battle of in-state foes. Florida opened up the season with a 35-14 victory over Florida Atlantic, while South Florida was defeated 45-0 at the hands of NC State. Gators vs Bulls will show you a good opportunity for betting.
Saturday’s kickoff is set for 1 p.m. EST inside Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. The game will be aired nationally on ABC. According to oddsmakers, Florida is a 28-point favorite over the Bulls, and the total point over-under is set at 58.
Florida Rolls in Opener
Florida began a new era in 2021 with junior Emory Jones taking over the quarterbacking duties for head coach Dan Mullen’s squad. Mullen, who is in his fourth season as the Gators’ coach, is one win away from his 100th as a head coach.
Jones was up-and-down in his first start as a Gator, completing 17-of-27 passes with a touchdown and two interceptions. The dual-threat quarterback added ten carries for 74 yards. Freshman backup quarterback Anthony Richardson electrified the crowd with seven rushes for 160 yards, including a 73-yard touchdown run.
Senior running back Malik Davis carried the ball 14 times for 74 yards with a rushing score, and classmate Dameon Pierce added a pair of touchdowns on six rushes for 31 yards. Florida rushed for 400 yards, the most under Mullen.
With a clear game plan that kept the ball on the ground, the Gators didn’t light up the scorebook in the passing game. Sophomore wide receiver Ja’Markis Weston led the receivers with three catches for 44 yards. Senior wideout Rick Wells added five catches for 36 yards and his first career touchdown.
Florida’s defense forced two turnovers, sacked the Owls’ quarterback six times, and held FAU to just 2.5 per carry.
South Florida Blanked in Week 1
The rebuilding of USF football program continues under second-year head coach Jeff Scott. The former Clemson offensive coordinator took over the program at 39 years old prior to the 2020 season. South Florida’s failure to score points was the second shutout in ten contests under Scott.
Junior quarterback Cade Fortin got the start under center for the Bulls, completing 7-of-20 passes for 41 yards with an interception. Freshman Timmy McClain saw action in both halves, ending the game 7-of-13 passing for 126 yards and two picks.
South Florida split carries between junior running back Jaren Mangham (five carries, 26 yards) and senior Darrian Felix (eight carries, 21 yards). The Bulls rushed 32 yards for 104 yards in the loss.
Junior wide receiver Xavier Weaver had two of the biggest plays of the game for USF, hauling in two passes for 44 and 29 yards. Senior tight end Mitchell Brinkman chipped in two receptions for 35 yards.
The Pick is In
Florida takes on its second in-state opponent in as many weeks and heads on the road for the first time, albeit an easy drive from Gainesville. The Bulls are still in rebuild mode and don’t have the talent on the roster like FAU.
The Gators eliminate the key turnovers that kept last week’s game closer than expected and clean some things up defense to route the Bulls, 45-10.