Florida at Arkansas College Football Expert Predictions
Posted by Eric Williams on Monday,July 25, 2016 7:32, EDT in
If you’re ready for some college football expert picks, then you’ve come to the right place! The Florida Gators ad Arkansas Razorbacks both had solid seasons in 2015 and will look to take another step toward becoming legitimate CFB Playoff participants when they kick off the 2016 regular season.
Now, let’s find out which one of these title hopeful programs is the right choice to bring home the bacon when they square off in their intriguing Week 10 SEC showdown.
Here’s a Closer Look At The Florida Gators at Arkansas Razorbacks College Football Expert Predictions
When: Saturday, November 5, 2016
Time: TBD
Where: Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR
NCAAF Odds: Arkansas -6.5
Bet The Florida Gators at +6.5 Because…
Florida Gators (10-4 SU, 8-6 ATS) had a fantastic season in Jim McElwain’s first season in the Swamp, by winning 10 games and bagging the SEC East title. Nevertheless, the Gators have plenty of work to do as they return just six starters on offense and seven on defense.
McElwain has a hug question mark to answer at quarterback even if transfer Luke Del Rio is currently expected to start over underachieving Treon Harris, who failed miserably after being handed the job following former starter Will Grier’s suspension.
Florida also needs to find suitable replacements for two starting offensive linemen and its top two skill position players from last season with wide receiver Demarcus Robinson and running back Kelvin Taylor both moving on to the NFL. The good news for McElwain however, is that there is plenty of homegrown talent on the Gators’ roster.
Defensively, the Gators were absolutely stupendous in ranking eighth overall and a stellar 11th in points allowed (18.2 ppg). Despite losing two All-Americans in cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III and tackle Jon Bullard, but again, there is still plenty of talent in the cupboard for McElwain to work with, starting with All-SEC cornerback Jalen Tabor, senior linebacker Jarrad Davis, junior cornerback Quincy Wilson and senior safety Marcus Maye.
Bet The Arkansas Razorbacks at -6.5 Because…
Arkansas (8-5 SU, 8-5 ATS) is expected to be a legitimate SEC title contender in 2016, but head coach Bret Bielema has his fair share of questions he needs to answer before the start of the 2016 campaign.
Just five starters return on offense, not including longtime quarterback Brandon Allen and three stating offensive linemen. The good news is that Arkansas has plenty of star potential in All-SEC wide receiver Drew Morgan, junior signal-caller Austin Allen quarterback and tackle Dan Skipper.
Defensively, the Razorbacks return a whopping nine starters on defense and are looking to improve their overall defense after falling to 68th in points allowed (27.3 ppg) after ranking 10th in total defense in 2014. Defensive end Deatrich Wise looks like a potential superstar and the Razorbacks added an elite recruit in defensive end McTelvin Agim.
Depth at linebacker could be a problem spot for Bielema, but the secondary is loaded with talent and vast experience. Overall, the Razorbacks look like they’ll be very good defensively in 2016.
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction
While I like the Arkansas Razorbacks to get the win at home in this Week 10 SEC showdown, I think this conference clash will turn into a knock-down, drag-out affair that is decided by a field goal at best. While these teams haven’t met since 2003, the fact of the matter is that Florida was as elite as it gets defensively last season and will likely be equally as good on that side of the ball in 2016.
With both teams having new starting quarterbacks this coming season the outcome of this affair will almost certainly be decided by which team plays better defense. Florida went 3-3 ATS as an underdog in 2015, making them my college football expert pick to cover the spread with room to spare.
My Pick: Arkansas 24 Florida 21
