Florida football: The public is on the Gators’ side against FSU

Florida football is getting set to host FSU for their annual rivalry game to close out the season on Saturday night. 

This game doesn’t quite have the same hype going into it as it did last week when both teams still had their quarterbacks.

But with both Jordan Travis and Graham Mertz out, the Gators figure to be in a better spot to potentially win this game. The spread was around -11.5 in favor of FSU last week and is now under a touchdown at -6.5.

With two backup QBs and a lower number, the public has been all over the Gators for the first half of the week.

Florida football: Crazier things have happened

There was always going to be a chance that the Gators could pull an upset in this game. It’s Florida-FSU at night. Nobody has any idea what’s going to happen.

But Florida’s chances got a lot more real in the past week, and people have realized it.

As this is being written on Wednesday afternoon, Florida is currently receiving 70% of the bets to cover +6.5.

A lot of the confidence in the Gators’ side likely has a lot to do with when and where this game is being played. Night games in The Swamp are no joke. Especially not when it means as much as this one.

The Gators have a chance to hand their biggest rival, who’s currently ranked No. 5 in the country and has a chance to win the ACC, their first loss of the season. It would reduce their already iffy playoff chances to zero.

Florida also needs this one for bowl eligibility. The extra practices that come with that would be incredibly valuable for a young team heading into next season.

The Gators have a whole lot to play for in this one, in addition to it being a rivalry. FSU doesn’t. Without Travis, the committee likely won’t let them into the playoff regardless.

All the confidence in Florida seems well-placed.