Jim McElwain laid the ground work for getting the Gators program back into the upper echelon of the SEC last season by leading Florida to its first outright division title since 2009. Still, the memory of a three-game skid that concluded with a 41-7 trouncing at the hands of Michigan in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl put a damper on the overall effort. With 11 starters and depth returning from that team, the Gators will be out to turn the page quickly and the sacrificial lamb first up on the Week 1 menu is a Massachusetts team that no longer has Tajae Sharpe to reel in backdoor covering touchdown passes.
This contest in Week 1 of the regular season will go down Saturday, September 3, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. ET at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Massachusetts +35
Florida -35
Over/Under 50.5
Odds Analysis
As bad as the Gators offense was last season and the fact that the betting public still has no idea what to expect under center, the 36 point opening line for this contest was bet down to -35 a couple weeks after the open. It’s held firm since, but you can expect some Gators money to bloat it back up right before kickoff.
The total has however been on the incline after opening at 47. It currently sits at 50.5 which is still 3.5 points lower than its Week 1 game against New Mexico State that closed at 54. Florida trounced the Aggies 61-13 in that one.
Matchup to Watch
Florida quarterbacks were constantly running for their lives last season with the offensive line allowing a school record 46 sacks. That likely won’t be an issue in this matchup with the Minutemen ranked No. 12 in the MAC (No. 116 in the nation) in sacks last season. With the defense returning just three starters, the hope is that junior college transfers can help bolster the pass rush.
This presents an excellent opportunity for the Gators’ maligned front wall to dominate in its season opener hopefully setting the tone for an offensive resurgence. Should Florida struggle to keep quarterback Luke Del Rio upright or from getting hit, it’s highly likely McElwain’s offense isn’t ready to make the jump many expect.
Key Stats
The Minutemen ranked in the bottom third of the conference in both total (447.8 yards per game ) and scoring (31.4 points per game) defense in 2015. McElwain wants his offense to run the snot out of the football. For the Gators to hang a crooked number on the scoreboard like the linemakers expect, rushing the pigskin down UMASS’s throat is a must.
Florida ranked No. 112 rushing the football last season, but has talent in the backfield to taking advantage of a cushy matchup. Make it a point to see if Florida is able to impose its will at the point of attack. Should the offense be able to pick up chunks of yards on the ground early on, UMASS simply won’t have anything left in the tank late to prevent this game from turning into a rout. Anything less than 200 rushing yards would come as an immense disappointment.
Free ATS Pick
The 2016 Gators feel as if they’re being disrespected a year removed from winning the SEC East. Injuries and suspensions played a major role in their steep decline at the end of last season, yet two schools sit ahead of them on the current SEC East championship odds. The team believes it has a better assortment of talent at the quarterback position, an offensive line hungry to make up for last year’s shortcomings, and numerous playmakers at both the running back and wide receiver positions.
The schedule sets up real nice for this team to build some confidence heading into its Week 4 tilt in Knoxville where a hungry bunch of Volunteers will no doubt await after choking away last year’s game in the Swamp. While this is a chalky number to overcome with so many unknowns, UMASS simply just doesn’t have the overall talent or depth to prevent this from turning into a laugher.
College Football Odds: Florida 52, Massachusetts 9
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
