Florida Gators vs. Tennessee Volunteers Pick 12/5/20

by | Last updated Dec 2, 2020 | cfb

Florida Gators (7-1 SU, 4-3-1 ATS) vs. Tennessee Volunteers (2-5, 1-5-1), 12/5/20

Time: 3:30 pm ET Saturday, Dec. 5

Where: Neyland Stadium

TV: CBS

Point spread: Fla -17/Tenn +17 (Get the Best Odds: Lay -105 instead of -110!)

Money line: Gators -715/Vols +500

Over/Under: 61.5

The Florida Gators are only two more hurdles away from playing for big stakes, beginning with a date with rival Tennessee Saturday afternoon in Knoxville. Florida, barring something unexpected, will meet Alabama in the upcoming SEC championship bout, with a berth in the College Football Playoff on the line. The Volunteers, on the other hand, are playing out the string on another disappointing season. How are we playing this game for our free college football pick?

College Football Betting Odds

College football betting odds opened Florida at -16.5 over Tennessee, with an over/under of right around 61. Early betting action then bumped the Gators to -17 and the total to 61.5.

Florida Betting Preview

The Gators ride a five-game winning streak into Saturday, after beating Kentucky last week 34-10. Florida used a fake punt to take an early 7-0 lead, fell behind 10-7 late in the second quarter, then used a misdirection scheme to return a punt for a touchdown and a 14-10 halftime lead. The Gators then blanked the Wildcats in the second half to secure the victory and a push of the spread as 24-point favorites.

Florida out-gained Kentucky 418-221. So the Gators have now out-gained eight of their nine opponents this season, six of them by at least 135 yards.

Two weeks ago, Florida racked up 586 yards of total offense to beat Vanderbilt 38-17; three weeks ago, the Gators piled up 593 yards to roll Arkansas 63-35; just before that, Florida posted 571 yards in a 44-28 win over Georgia, and just before that 514 yards in a 41-17 win over Missouri.

At 7-1 in conference play, the Gators can clinch the SEC East title with a win Saturday. Florida is also trying to chase down a berth in the College Football Playoff, which it will realize if it can win this game, beat LSU next week, next beat Alabama in the SEC championship game.

More Picks: Get Zman’s Clemson at Virginia Tech Spread Play >>>

Tennessee Betting Preview

Meanwhile, Tennessee lugs a five-game losing streak into Saturday, after falling at Auburn two weeks ago 30-17. The Volunteers then had last week off.

Tennessee actually scored the first 10 points of the game two weeks ago, then gave up the next 27 to fall behind by three scores. The Vols pulled to within 27-17 with four minutes left, which gave them a push of the spread as 10-point dogs, but allowed an Auburn field goal with a minute and a half to go and couldn’t respond.

The game really turned when Tennessee, down 13-10 but driving late in the third quarter, threw a 100-yard pick-six. And that was about it for the Vols right there.

Tennessee actually out-gained the Tigers 464-385 and out-rushed the Vols 222-165. But that pick-six really hurt.

The Vols have now out-gained and out-rushed just one of their last five opponents.

Tennessee started 2-0 this season, but it’s 0-5 both SU and ATS since then, with losses to Georgia, Kentucky, Alabama, and Arkansas.

At 2-5 overall, the Vols, after seemingly making a breakthrough last season under Coach Pruitt, rate as one of the most disappointing teams in college football this season.

These teams have played five common opponents so far this season; Florida is 5-0 SU, 3-1-1 ATS against Arkansas, Kentucky, Georgia, Missouri, and South Carolina, while Tennessee is just 2-3 SU, 1-3-1 ATS vs. those five teams.

Gators-Vols Recent History

Florida is 14-1 SU over the last 15 meetings with Tennessee, and 3-0 SU, 2-1 ATS over the previous three. Last year the Gators led 17-0 at the half, won 34-3, and covered at -13.

Also, that game played under a total of 49.5.

College Football Betting Trends

  • Florida is 15-3 SU, 10-7-1 ATS with Kyle Trask as the starter at quarterback.
  • Florida is 18-6 SU, 13-10-1 ATS in SEC play under Coach Mullen.
  • Tennessee is 9-14 SU, 10-12-1 ATS in SEC play under Coach Pruitt.
  • Tennessee is 12-20 SU, 11-20-1 ATS with Jarrett Guarantano starting at QB.

Totals Report

Overs are 5-3 in Gators games this season, which are averaging 69 total points against an average over/under of 61.

Unders are 5-2 in Vols games this season, which are averaging 51 points against an average O/U of 51.

Overs are 7-3 over the last ten meetings between these teams.

Free College Football Pick

These two teams are headed in totally opposite directions. During its recent streak, each of Florida’s five wins has come by at least 16 points, while Tennessee’s five recent losses have each come by double-digits. Also, playing on the road means the spread is a bit friendlier toward the Gators. We’ll give the points here with Florida. Bet the game live while it’s happening at the sportsbook with the BEST live wagering platform on the planet —> Bovada Sportsbook! You also get a 50% Cash Bonus!