We check out the new future odds for the BCS Champion in the 2013 season in college football –thanks to Bovada Sportsbook –and see the Florida Gators as the 10th choice at 25/1 odds. Let’s take an early look and see if the Gators are a viable option when placing a future bet.
A Storybook Season
Gone Bad?
Although Florida had an outstanding regular season and
ultimately finished 9th in the AP Poll, they couldn’t feel good
about their Bowl Game appearance. The Big East is known for being one of the
weakest conferences in college football and the Louisville Cardinals with Teddy
Bridgewater –who were double digit dogs –put a beating on the Gators to win the
ALLSTATE Sugar Bowl, 33-23.
It still was a good season for Florida, but ask Alabama…It’s
not where you start, it’s where you finish.
Key Losses
One big blow to the Gators will be the loss of senior
running back, Mike Gillislee. Although Gillislee didn’t run the way that he
would’ve wanted to in the Sugar Bowl, he had some huge performances against LSU
and Florida State. His 1152 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns will need to be
replaced.
Along with Gillislee, Florida loses left tackle Xavier Nixon
and left guard James Wilson.
On the defensive end, Florida will also take a big hit as
they lose 3 starting linebackers: Jon
Bostic, Lerentee McCray, and Jelani Jenkins. The safety position also loses
defensive back Matt Elam to the NFL. Elam left the program with an 11 tackle
performance in the Sugar Bowl.
Transfers
.jpg)
Florida gets some assistance from JUCO transfer, offensive
tackle,Trenton Brown. Brown is a mountain of a man at 6 foot 8, 350 pounds
while the Gators also pick up former University of Nebraska tackle, Tyler
Moore. This doesn’t make up for the losses on the line but these two players
will be of great assistance to starting quarterback Jeff Driskel and should help Florida to beat the NCAAF betting odds in most cases.
Recruits
Florida was in desperate need of some targets and they got
them.
Freshman, Demarcus Robinson, has already signed with Florida
and he’s the best of the bunch. He’s ranked as the 7th best wide
receiver with a 4 star grading. Robinson possesses great size and speed and is
still possibly growing. Look for him to fill out and give the receiving core
some much needed support.
Alvin Bailey is fitted to be the slot wide receiver and this
4 star player has the potential to make the big plays despite his wiery frame.
We could be seeing the next Plaxico Burress in 6 foot 4
receiver Ahmad Fullwood. Fullwood has all of the athletic tools to be a TD
machine.
A Chip Off the Old
Block
Florida has high hopes, as Kelvin Taylor is the top running
back in the nation. He already signed with Florida over a year ago. This is the
son of former Gator and former NFL superstar, Fred Taylor. Taylor is an overall
gifted running back where as his father was a punishing grinder, this Taylor is
more of an athlete and smooth runner. Look for this 5 star recruit to make a
major impact on this program.
Immediate Impact
Ranked number 3 in the nation in recruits, cornerback Vernon
Hargreavas III should be the player most ready to fit in the Gators’ defensive
scheme. Florida really has two 5 star gems on both sides of the ball in Taylor
and Hargreavas III. This will be a young but talented team.
Jeff Driskel
It’s very rare that you mention the starting QB last, but
Florida has had a brilliant year in recruiting and these players will make Jeff
Driskel a better player.
Look for Driskel to air it out more in the upcoming season.
He had a respectable sophomore season with 1646 yards, 12 TD’s and 5 INT’s .
Driskel is also a QB that can run with the football. He’s coming off of a
somewhat disappointing Sugar Bowl, but this is a quarterback that doesn’t make
many mistakes and will be a good fit with the incoming freshman.
Outcome
This is a team that’s a little too young to win it all, but
they’ve basically covered their losses with some major talent. You’re looking
at another 1 or 2 loss season and another prime-time bowl
game invitation. So, the Gators should be a good team to tail once again for your college football picks.