GAINESVILLE, FLA- After beginning the 2022-2023 college football season with two intense games against AP Top-25 opponents ( 29-26 Win vs No. 7 Utah | 16-26 Loss to No. 20 Kentucky), the No. 20 Florida Gators (2-1, 0-1 SEC) appeared to have a “make-up” game against South Florida. In hindsight, this was not the case, as the Gators narrowly defeated the Bulls 31-28 after South Florida’s Kicker Spencer Shrader missed a game-tying 49-yard field goal attempt. Through the first three games, Florida has looked as good as expected, but have also sputtered behind Sophomore Quarterback Anthony Richardson’s play. With this said, Richardson and the Gators will look to bounce back in their week four game against the No. 11 Tennesse Volunteers (3-0, 0-0 SEC).
Review of No. 20 Florida’s Week Three Win Against South Florida
Similar to Florida’s 16-26 week two loss to Kentucky, Richardson nearly cost the Gators another game due to careless mistakes. Despite facing South Florida’s defense, who gave up 418 yards of offense to Howard in week two, Richardson struggled mightily, completing 10-18 pass attempts for 112 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions. Furthermore, Richardson was limited to just 24 rushing yards on seven carries, and was held under 30 rushing yards for the second straight game. As a result of Richardson’s poor play, Florida’s Head Coach Billy Napier relied heavily on the Gators’ Running Backs to lead the offense. Throughout the season, Napier has opted to use a Running Back by Committee approach, which has proven effective. Between Montrell Johnson (6/103/1), Trevor Etienne (8/56/1), and Nay’Quan Wright (6/37/1), Florida ran for 196 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 10.1 yards per carry (YPC), compensating for Richardson’s lackluster passing.
In addition to their strong running game, Florida’s stout defense was enough to give the Gators the nerve-racking 31-28 win over the Bulls. After containing Utah’s Cameron Rising and Kentucky’s Will Levis in the first two weeks of the season, Florida began preparing for South Florida’s dual-threat Quarterback Gerry Bohanon. Due to playing against one of the SEC’s top defenses and in a hostile environment such as The Swamp, Bohanon struggled to throw the football, completing 12-28 pass attempts for 116 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions, one of which was returned 39 yards by Florida’s Defensive Back Jalen Kimber for a touchdown. It’s worth noting that Bohanon helped facilitate a strong rushing attack, recording 102 rushing yards and one touchdown on 15 attempts. Bohanon wasn’t the only Bull who thrived with running the football, as Brian Battie ran for 150 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries while Michel Dukes had his third rushing touchdown of the season.
Review of No. 11 Tennessee’s Week Three Win Against Akron
Following an impressive 34-27 week two overtime victory against No. 17 Pittsburgh (now No. 23), Tennessee returned to Knoxville in preparation for their week three matchup versus Akron. As expected, the Volunteers had no issues with the Zips, defeating Akron 63-6 behind Quarterbacks Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton. While Hooker received the start against Akron, both Hooker and Milton had adequate playing time, combining for 438 passing yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions on 18-23 passing. It’s also worth noting that Hooker and Milton completed passes to 12 different receivers, highlighted by Jalin Hyatt’s five receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns, all team-highs. Tennessee’s rushing game was also on point, as the Volunteers recorded 238 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 45 attempts. Between Jaylen Wright (23/96/2) and Dylan Sampson (8/57/2), the Volunteers boast an-impressive one-two punch at running back.
To no surprise, Tennessee’s defense was just as good as their offense, only allowing Akron to convert on two field goals. Due to the dynamic play of Akron’s Quarterback DJ Irons, Tennessee made sure to send pressure early and often, as the Volunteers notched four sacks, six QB hurries, and eleven tackles for loss (TFL) while holding Irons to 241 yards on 32-44 passing. Furthermore, Tennessee stifled Akron’s rushing game, limiting the Zips to 35 yards on 24 rushing attempts. Even though Tennesse defeated Akron handily on Saturday, the Volunteers struggled with penalties, committing eleven for 118 yards. Likewise, Running Back Jabari Small (right arm) and Wide Receiver Cedric Tillman (left knee) both left the game during the first half, giving Tennessee less depth entering their week four game against Florida.
Game and Betting Information for No. 20 Florida vs No. 11 Tennessee
Game Information
- Location: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee
Date: Saturday, September 24th, 2022 - Kick-Off Time: 3:30 P.M. ET
- TV: CBS Sports
- Game Spread: -10.5 Tennessee
- Point Total Over/Under: 62
- Moneyline: +278 Florida, -355 Tennessee
- Football Power Index (FPI): Favors Tennessee at 87.4%
Betting Information
- During last season’s 38-14 win over Tennessee, Florida covered at -19 while the point total of 64.5 went under.
- The Gators have gone 1-2-0 against the spread this year, only covering in their week one victory against No. 13 Utah.
- Two of three Florida’s games have gone over the point total this season.
Ten Facts to Know for No. 20 Florida vs No. 11 Tennessee
- In the 51 games between Florida and Tennessee, the Gators are 31-20.
- The Volunteers hold the largest margin of victory in the Florida-Tennessee series, defeating the Gators 45-3 in 1990.
- Florida beat Tennessee in eleven straight meetings (2005-2015), the longest win streak in the Florida-Tennessee rivalry.
- Florida has between Tennessee in five straight games entering the 2022 season (2017-present).
- Of all 14 starting Quarterbacks in the SEC, Florida’s Richardson ranks last in passing yards (423), completion percentage (53.2%), and touchdown passes (zero).
- Between Richardson, Johnson, Etienne, and Wright, Florida has already accumulated 636 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns.
- After starting the 2022-2023 season off with three consecutive wins, this is the first time since 2016 that Tennessee has started a season off 3-0.
- As a result of throwing for 844 passing yards and eight touchdowns this season, Tennessee’s Hooker is a dark-horse candidate to win the 2022-2023 Heisman Trophy, sitting at +5000 to win at FanDuel.
- In addition, Hooker has led an impressive offense in Knoxville, as the Volunteers are averaging 553.7 total yards and 52.0 points per game this season.
- Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel is 24-8 against the first-half spread when playing SEC conference opponents over his career, while Florida is 0-8 against SEC foes over the last two seasons.