Miami (OH) RedHawks at Florida Gators 2010 NCAA College Football Week 1 Odds, Preview, and Predictions: Head football coach Urban Meyer doesn’t seem to like the idea of coaching Florida without Heisman Trophy winner and leader Tim Tebow. So much so, Meyer briefly retired last December due to “health reasons”, sounds like a case of Tebow withdrawal. The team will take on a different image without the All-American at the helm even though there are plenty of talented athletes that have the ability to step up. “I’m hitting the panic button a little bit,” said Meyer, “We’ve got to get better faster than what we are right now.” Surprisingly the RedHawks own the edge head to head 1-0 by beating Florida 16-7 in the Tangerine Bowl in 1973. The RedHawks will not be favored Saturday as Vegas odds makers have the Florida Gators a -37 point favorite at home against the Miami (OH) RedHawks.
The Gators are coming off a 13-1 season with the only loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship game and finishing with an impressive victory 51-24 in the Sugar Bowl against Cincinnati. Replacing Tebow at quarterback will be John Brantley who played well when given the opportunity last year throwing 36 for 48 for 410 yards, 7 touchdowns and no picks. He will be relieved of some pressure with the option to hand off to speedster Jeff Demps and NCAA Champion sprinter in the 60 and 100 yards. Demps has amassed 1,350 yards, 14 touchdowns and a Gator leading 7.6 yards per carry average the last two seasons. The line is beat up but should be healthier by the SEC opener. Vegas odds makers have Jeff Demps as +750 odds to have the most rushing yards per game in the SEC for 2010.
Head football coach Michael Haywood was formerly offensive coordinator at Notre Dame and knows how important the running game can be, even though the RedHawks were second worst it the FBS at just 70 yards per game last season. Miami does have a solid quarterback Zac Dysert returning. He threw for 2,611 yards, 12 touchdowns but had 16 picks. He needs to be more in control of which team he throws it too. Odds makers at Diamond have the over/under for the total score at 53 points combined of the Florida Gators and the Miami (OH) RedHawks.
These games should be preseason and not count, but they do. Florida is so much better although I hate to give that many points I have to predict them covering. The swamp will be rocking as usual, go Gators! Note: Rich Fritz is a Blog Writer on NSAwins.com and not a pro handicapper. For expert College Football Picks against the vegas spreads please visit the NSAwins.com homepage for top predictions today from the National Sports Advisors.