Posted on
10/18/2007 6:13:36 PM
NCAA Football Betting: Florida Gators vs. Kentucky Wildcats
By Tim Furious
Preview
Kentucky just can’t seem to catch a break. One week after upsetting the top-ranked LSU Tigers in a thrilling overtime game, they face the Florida Gators this weekend. If history has anything to say about this matchup, Florida’s 20-game wining streak over Kentucky will continue. But if Andre Woodson has anything to say about it, history will begin a new chapter in Lexington on Saturday.
#15 Florida Gators (4-2) vs. #7 Kentucky Wildcats (6-1)
Saturday, October 20th --- Commonwealth Stadium, Lexington --- 3:30pm EST
Opening NCAA Football Line: Florida -7 (62)
Florida Offense vs. Kentucky Defense
Tim Tebow is the most dangerous dual threat in the nation because of his size and speed. He has a canon for an arm and, when he breaks out for a run, he is nearly impossible to bring down. On the season he has 1,955 total yards and 22 touchdowns. He faces a defense that gives up 381.3 yards per game.
The Kentucky defensive front-seven has a bad habit of getting caught out of position in coverage, which will make it a long afternoon if the powerful Tebow decides to go for a run. The Wildcats tackling has not been overly impressive, and this is the kind of defense a well rested Tebow can expose.
Despite the 186.6 passing yards the Wildcats have given up through the air, they have been absolute ball hawks with 10 interceptions. Percy Harvin is a gamebreaking receiver, but he remains the only real receiving threat for the Gators. Betting investors should be concerned because the young Tebow might force plays against an opportunistic defense in an effort to get the Gators out of the BCS gutter.
Kentucky Offense vs. Florida Defense
The Wildcats running game will be without running-back Rafael Little, which is cause for concern because the Florida Gators have been impressive against the run. They allow only 94.0 yards per game on the ground. Bet on Tony Dixon to get plenty of work at tailback to take pressure off of Andre Woodson.
Woodson, whose Heisman campaign is in full swing, will need to have a mistake-free game. Defensive-end Derrick Harvey is a ferocious quarterback killer, but Woodson has shown poise and calm in the pocket. Last weekend, he absorbed a bone-crushing tackle from behind to release the game-winning touchdown pass against LSU. To tip the scale in Kentucky’s favor even more, the Florida pass defense gives up 230.2 yards per game.
NCAA Football Betting Trends
-Florida is 3-2 ATS
-Kentucky is 5-1 ATS
-Florida is 2-6 in their last 8 games on the road
-Kentucky is 7-1 SU in their last 8 home games
Final Verdict
This game will essentially be the game that decides if Tim Tebow or Andre Woodson gets the invitation to New York for the Heisman. It will either cement Kentucky’s spot as one of the best teams in the nation, or lead to Florida’s resurgence in the standings. But the smart betting investor will ride Kentucky’s momentum to some big winnings in the BetUS.com sportsbook.
Bet on the home dogs as Woodson shreds the Florida secondary apart with his precise passing and calm decision making. Tebow will be a force to be reckoned with, but the home crowd will give Kentucky the extra boost they need. And if Tebow gets desperate, this secondary can make him pay dearly for his mistakes. Either way, it will be a game that will keep you glued to your TV. Make sure your betting dollars stay glued to your wallet by betting on Kentucky.
NCAA Football Free Pick: Florida 31 Kentucky 38
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