UCF Knights vs Florida Gators 2021 Gasparilla Bowl
For this Thursday, December 23, we offer our UCF vs Florida prediction for the 2021 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl. The UCF Knights (8-4) finished third in the AAC with a 5-3 record. After starting the season at 3-3, the Knights won five and lost one. The Florida Gators (6-6) finished sixth in the SEC East with a 2-6 record. Over their last six games, the Gators were 2-4.
Gasparilla Bowl Spread and Totals Odds
The Gators are favored in this game with a line of -6.5 (-110), while the Knights are the underdog, being listed at +6.5 (-110). The total comes in at 55.5. The under is -101 and over -120. The 2021 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl will be played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL with kickoff at 7:00 pm ET. The Gasparilla Bowl will be broadcast on ESPN. The weather forecast is for partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the high 50s. Winds will be from the ENE at 6 mph and gusts up to 10 mph. There is a two percent chance of precipitation.
Knights vs Gators Pick - Stats
Our UCF vs Florida prediction notes that both teams are scoring on average 32 PPG. However, in terms of offensive yards, the Gators are averaging 470.2 YPG while the Knights have been putting up 399.7. Florida is dominant in passing yards (261.1-211.0). Florida is also averaging 209.1 YPG, while UCF is averaging 188.7 ground YPG.
On the other side of the ball, these two teams are allowing opponents approximately 25.5 PPG. Both teams are giving up between 260 and 270 yards per game. For both teams, those yards come to just over 200 passing yards per game and 155 rushing yards per game.
UCF vs Florida Prediction - Key Players
Although the Knights have had various quarterbacks on the field this season, Mikey Keene (1,586 YDs, 63.6 COMP%, 16 TDs, 6 INTs, 15 SCKs) has put in the most time. Expect to see him connecting with wideouts Ryan O'Keefe (77 REC, 727 YDs, 9.4 AVG, 6 TDs) and Brandon Johnson (38 REC, 565 YDs, 14.9 AVG, 11 TDs). The rush attack is three deep with Johnny Richardson, Isaiah Bowser, and Mark-Antony Richards totaling 1,500-plus rushing yards and 15 TDs. On defense, lineman Big Kat Bryant (6 SCKs, 3 PD) leads the team in sacks, linebacker Tatum Bethune (101 TCKLs, 2 SCKs, 1 PD, 2 INTs) tops the team in tackles, and deep back Divaad Wilson (3 PD. 2 INTs) anchors the secondary.
Florida quarterback Emory Jones, a dual threat, has recorded 19 passing and four rushing TDs. Jones has passed for 2,563 yards, completing 67.7 percent of his attempts. He’s only been sacked nine times. However, Jones has tossed 13 picks. This season, six receivers have made 20 or more catches and totaled 18 TD catches. Three running backs, Dameon Pierce, Malik Davis, and Anthony Richardson, have rushed for a combination of more than 1,300 yards and 19 touchdowns. On defense, linebacker Brenton Cox Jr. (7.5 SCKs, 4 PD) leads the team in sacks, while safeties Rashad Torrence II (81 TCKLs, 1 PD, 3 INTs) and Trey Dean III (80 TCKLs, 8 PD, 1 INT) anchor the secondary.
UCF vs Florida Prediction
Although at first glance these two teams look to be fairly close statistically, the Gators have a big advantage at quarterback. We expect that both teams will score, but in the end, the Gators will take this game down. Our UCF vs Florida prediction is the Gators at -6.5 (-110). Our projection is Florida 35 and UCF 25. Thus, we’re taking over 55.5 at -120.
Check in with Sports Betting Smarts everyday, as we are previewing and predicting every one of this season’s 41 college football bowl games. In the first week of bowl season, we went 12-4 with an 8-2 mark on Saturday.
2021 Gasparilla Bowl - UCF vs Florida Summary
Spread - Miami (OH) -3.5 (-110)
Over/Under - Under 56.5 (-116)
