The stands will be rocking tonight at Rice-Eccles Stadium when the 14th-ranked Utah Utes and the Florida Gators kick off at 8 PM. This is the second year in a row that Utah and Florida have faced each other in their respective season openers.
Just like last year, college football betting sites are favoring the Utes to defeat an SEC team. In 2022, Utah held a -1.5 edge in the point spread but ultimately lost the game in Gainesville by a final score of 29-26
For tonight’s contest, the Gators are +4.5 dogs at most NCAAF sportsbooks.
Florida @ Utah (#14)
- Point Spread: UF +4.5, Utah -4.5
- Moneyline: UF +170, Utah -200
- Over/Under: 44.0
UF will start Graham Mertz at quarterback. The Gators landed Mertz via the transfer portal after playing four seasons with the Wisconsin Badgers.
Graham has had troubles with interceptions in the past but has never operated with a group of skill position players this talented. He’ll be put to the test on night one of his Gators’ career on national television.
The Gators are not preseason favorites to reach the CFP, but a win over a 14th-ranked team tonight will enter them into the conversation.
The game will air on ESPN.
Kent State @ Central Florida
- Point Spread: Kent State +35.5, UCF -35.5
- Moneyline: Offline
- Over/Under: 55.5
An hour before the Florida game begins, KSU vs. UCF can be seen on Fox Sports 1 starting at 7 PM. The UCF Knights of the Big 12 are favored by over five touchdowns, and moneylines are off the boards due to the lopsided projections. If the above betting line proves correct, the final score will be in the neighborhood of Central Florida 45, Kent State 10.
NC State @ Connecticut
- Point Spread: NC State -14.0, Connecticut +14.0
- Moneyline: NC State -675, Connecticut +460
- Over/Under: 46.5
At 7:30 PM, an ACC vs. AAC matchup pairs up NC State and the UConn Huskies, where the Wolfpack are favored to win by two TDs. However, the game is being played at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field, and the Huskies were 9-3 against the spread last season.
Consider taking UConn to cover. The Huskies and Wolfpack game can be seen on CBS Sports Network.
Nebraska @ Minnesota
- Point Spread: Nebraska +7.0, Minnesota -7.0
- Moneyline: Nebraska +230, Minnesota -280
- Over/Under: 43.0
Starting at 8:00 PM on the Big Ten Network, the Cornhuskers and Golden Gophers start their in-conference schedule early. Minnesota is projected to win by a touchdown at home and climb to 1-0 in the Big Ten standings.
Aiding Minnesota in their efforts will be a sellout home crowd at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Sold out, gold out!
We will see y’all next Thursday!#RTB #SkiUMah #Gophers https://t.co/ZjrWFctaCy pic.twitter.com/GTgwmS1npL
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) August 24, 2023
The Gophers and Cornhusers are both tied for 36th in the overall odds for betting on the CFP National Championship with a +20000 moneyline.
Sources
- Sports Illustrated
- Bovada Sportsbook (Bovada Review)
