Florida vs. Georgia Odds, Picks, Predictions (10/29/22)

Florida will become the latest team to try and take down almighty Georgia, but it’ll be a gigantic challenge. The reigning champions are 7-0 and have looked excellent aside from a scare against Missouri four weeks ago. Do the Gators have any chance at a resurgent game after a home loss to LSU?

Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this Saturday matchup in Georgia.

Florida vs. Georgia Odds

Georgia is a heavy favorite at -2800 on the moneyline, entering favored by 22.5 points. The over/under is set at 56.5 points.

Georgia has been dominant at home this season – the closest game was a 17-point win over Kent State. It’s no surprise that the Bulldogs are favored by more than three touchdowns after beating Auburn and Vanderbilt by a combined 87 points.

The only question is which Florida we will get. Will it be the Gators team that gave Tennessee a scare in Knoxville, or will it be the Florida that let LSU rack up 528 yards?

Florida vs. Georgia Prediction & Pick

Georgia has started slow offensively in some games, failing to score in the first quarter against Missouri and Auburn, but Florida’s defense offers no confidence right now. The Gators were torched by LSU at home and allowed 576 yards against Tennessee in September.

The only way in which this game stays close is if Florida’s potent running game matches Georgia, but the Bulldogs’ defense will give a limited Gators offense a challenge it hasn’t yet seen this year in a tough environment. Florida also has played just one game on the road this season and has looked inconsistent at best at home. Even with the spread larger than three touchdowns, Georgia -22.5 feels like the safer pick here.

Florida vs. Georgia Key Matchups

Georgia’s defense might not be the historic force it was last season, but it remains a game-wrecking unit with three projected first-round picks. For a Florida offense that is already limited in one facet of the game, that’s likely going to be a problem.

Anthony Richardson can be a lethal threat on the ground – he’s coming off a 109-yard rushing performance and averages 7.1 yards per carry – but to say he’s been inconsistent as a passer is an understatement. Richardson has more interceptions than passing touchdowns and has thrown for 200+ yards only twice this season. Against Missouri three weeks ago, Richardson finished 8-of-14 for 66 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. You can beat Missouri with that kind of day, but you can’t beat Georgia with it.

The Bulldogs are allowing 8.9 points/game through seven games, and while the competition hasn’t been all that tough yet, a defense that has taken advantage of inferior quarterbacks all season is poised to do the same here. Florida can keep this game within reach only if Richardson runs wild and avoids turnovers.

Georgia’s offense has had some ups and downs ever since the opening weekend win over Oregon. The win over Missouri was a bit of a struggle. Still, the Bulldogs have so many options both through the air and on the ground that a leaky Florida defense figures to have a tough day. It’ll be interesting to see if a run-first offense goes to the passing game more often with the way Florida was beaten through the air by LSU and Tennessee.

As long as Georgia avoids a slow start, this should be a dominant win. While we’ve seen flashes from Florida this year, it won’t take Georgia’s best at home to win this game comfortably.