The Oregon State Beavers (9-3) and the Gators of Florida will square off in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 17, with kickoff slated for 2:30 p.m. ET at Allegiant Stadium.
Beavers are making the 19th bowl appearance in school history and their second straight while the Florida Gators standings show they play in the postseason for the 49th time and fifth time in succession.
The Beavers are making their third Las Vegas Bowl appearance entering the game 1-1 SU, while Florida has never appeared in the Sin City Bowl one of 6 NCAAF games on the NCAAF schedule Saturday.
The game marks the second bowl appearance for Beavers coach Jonathan Smith, while Bill Napier is coaching his first bowl game as the Gators boss but led Louisiana to three bowl appearances.
There are storylines aplenty in this one as a number of key players have elected to bypass the game, providing opportunities to unheralded players who have not had a turn in the spotlight in 2022.
Oregon State’s nine wins were the most in program history since 2008 and they’ll be looking to win ten games for the first time since 2006 and for just the third time ever in school history.
In this piece, we will give you all the information you need when it comes to making your Florida vs Oregon State picks, including a look at college football injuries that impact this one as well as a look at both teams’ strengths and weaknesses.
Florida vs. Oregon State Odds
Currently, the Beavers are a 10-point favorite, and the total for the game is 53. On the moneyline, the Beavers are -385, while those putting their hard-earned money on the Gators to win will play into a +295 ML.
Considered a consensus first-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft, Gator QB Anthony Richardson has elected to sit out the Las Vegas Bowl.
This had a huge impact on the markets and will undoubtedly be a major factor for those making Florida vs Oregon State picks. In addition, star LB Ventrell Miller, also considered an NFL prospect, will not play in the game.
While Miller is a key player, Richardson is without a doubt the most talented player on both the Gators and Beavers rosters, and his absence is what dictated the markets.
Matchup Information
Florida vs. Oregon State Betting Preview
Florida Gators
Although it went 2-2 in September, an argument can be made that this was the best month for Florida.
The team opened its season as a home dog and beat Utah outright in the Swamp. It then fell to Kentucky, narrowly downed South Florida but then played Tennessee, a likely playoff team had its quarterback Hendon Hooker not gone down to a 5-point defeat in Knoxville.
Napier’s team closed the 2022 regular season with a loss at perennial SEC doormat Vanderbilt and a close loss in Tallahassee to rival Florida State.
Jack Miller III, a transfer from Ohio State, and previously listed as the third quarterback on the roster, will get the start for UF in Vegas as Richardson is sitting out, and backup Jalen Kitna was dismissed from the squad after his recent arrest.
Miller, a native of Scottsdale and former blue-chip recruit, has yet to throw a pass for the Florida Gators this season.
Oregon State Beavers
Oregon State is a team that has certainly put together one of the best seasons in recent memory of its program. Smith’s team arrives in Vegas on a three-game win streak, including its most recent victory, a 38-34 triumph in Corvallis over then-number 9 Oregon.
Two of Oregon State’s losses were by three, field goal defeats against USC and Washington. Only Utah was able to blow out OSU, defeating them 42-16 in Corvallis.
As a team, the Beavers are much better running the ball than they are throwing, and defensively, OSU has been much better at defending the run than the pass.
Redshirt freshman Ben Gulbranson is the guy for the Beavers after fellow QB Chance Nolan entered the portal. On the year, Gulbranson has tossed 8 TD’s and 5 picks, completing 62.3 pct. of his throws. This could be a pivotal game for the NCAAF standings.
Florida vs. Oregon Betting Preview
This season, Florida is 7-5 against the number, while the Beavers are 10-2 ATS. When looking at Oregon State odds, Beavers were favored in 5 of its last 6 games, going 6-0 in those contests.
Florida has also been good to bettors as of late, going 4-1 ATS in its last 5.
When making our Florida vs Oregon State picks, we feel that two factors, Richardson’s absence and, subsequently, Miller’s inexperience, as well as Oregon State’s anticipated motivation, have all signs points towards the Beavers.
Looking to win 10 games for just the third time in over 100 years of OSU football should be enough for the team and its coach, who was just rewarded with a long extension to keep him in Corvallis for the foreseeable future.
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