Florida Gators at Alabama Crimson Tide 2010 NCAAF Week 5 Odds, Preview, and Predictions: In what might be a preview of this year’s SEC Championship game head football coach Urban Meyer takes his Florida Gators on the road to Tuscaloosa to take on defending National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide. Alabama still holds the No. 1 ranking and the Gators come in at No. 6 with both teams 4-0 on the season. Coach Meyer declared this “Bama Week” and although he denies it, revenge for last year’s SEC Championship loss will be a factor. “This is a game that a lot of people are asking is there payback,” Meyer said. “I think a good majority of our team wasn’t with us last year in that game.”
Tide coach Nick Saban has concerns over the Wildcat scheme that Florida runs. “The guy (Burton) is a very good player,” Saban said. “It does create some problems, but it creates more problems when you’ve got one guy who can do it all because you have to defend it all, all the time. This guy is a very good player. Brantley is a very good passer, so the combination of those two guys does present some issues and problems.” Vegas odds makers have the Alabama Crimson Tide a -8 point favorite at home against the Florida Gators.
The Florida Gators pounded the SEC’s Kentucky Wildcats 28-14 at the Swamp and seem to be getting better each week. Quarterback John Brantley went 24 for 35 passing for 248 yards a touchdown and an interception. The star of the game for the Gators was Trey Burton who has now lined up at running back, quarterback, and tight end and runs the Wildcat for Florida. Burton looks to be the replacement for Tim Tebow in short yardage situations as he ran the ball just 5 times for 40 yards but 5 touchdowns as well as going 1 for 1 passing for 42 yards and 5 receptions for 37 yards and a sixth touchdown. Vegas odds makers have the Florida Gator Carl Moore’s Total Receptions at over/under 3 ½ for the game against Alabama.
Alabama recently had to come from behind to win against SEC foe Arkansas 24-20 on the road. Quarterback Greg McElroy was inconsistent 18 for 26 for 194 yards and a touchdown but threw and uncharacteristic 2 interceptions. Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram was almost unstoppable carrying the ball 24 times for 157 yards and 2 touchdowns. Odds makers at JustBet have the over/under for the total score at 48 points combined of the Florida Gators and Alabama Crimson Tide.
I predict a close game and a Florida cover. Note: Rich Fritz is a Blog Writer on NSAwins.com and not a pro handicapper. For expert College Football Predictions against the vegas spreads please visit the NSAwins.com homepage for top predictions today from the National Sports Advisors.