Gator Bowl Total Prediction
Will Indiana and Tennessee find enough offense to hit the over in their meeting in Thursday’s TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at 7PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
293 Tennessee vs. 294 Indiana
Thursday, January 2, 2020
7PM ET – TIAA Bank Field
TV: ESPN
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Tennessee is the slight favorite in this game, as the Vols are getting odds of -1.5 points against Indiana. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 52 points. The public betting currently has 71 percent going on Tennessee as the favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Indiana seeks program win
Indiana is making its first bowl appearance since 2016 and is looking for its first bowl victory since 1991 on Thursday. The Hoosiers are coming off a 44-41 OT win at Purdue to end the regular season. Indiana is 8-4 on the season, 7-5 against the spread and 7-5 with the over.
The Hoosiers had a pretty solid balance of offense and defense this season. Indiana averaging 32.6 points and 444 yards per game on offense thanks to a passing game that averaged 308.7 yards per contest. Defensively, Indiana gave up 24.5 points and 350.7 yards per contest. Patrick Ramsey took over the QB position midway through the year and has thrown for 2,227 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also has rushed for 198 yards and six touchdowns. Whop Philyor is the leading receiver with 69 catches for 1,001 yards and five touchdowns, while Stevie Scott III is the leading rusher with 845 yards and 10 scores. Scott is questionable for the game with a leg injury.
Vols finish on fire
After some tough years, Tennessee finally hit a hot streak by winning its last five games of the season. The Vols are making their first bowl appearance since 2016. Tennessee is 7-5 on the season, 7-5 against the spread and 8-4 with the under.
Tennessee had a really solid defense this season, limiting opponents to just 21.7 points and 337.1 yards per game. Their pass defense allowed just 191.3 yards per contest. Nigel Warrior is leading the defense with 68 tackles and four interceptions. Offensively, the Vols averaged just 24.5 points and 350.7 yards per contest. Jarrett Guarantano is leading the defense with 1,937 passing yards and 16 touchdowns, while Jauan Jennings is his top receiver with 57 catches for 942 yards. Jennings will sit out the first half of the game due to a team suspension. Ty Chandler is the leading rusher with 620 yards and three scores.
College Football Betting Trends
Indiana
The Hoosiers have hit the under in their last five non-conference games, but have hit the over in five straight as an underdog.
Tennessee
The Vols have hit the over in their last five bowl games, but have hit the under in six straight following a win.
Prediction:
This game should be interesting. Indiana is playing for a lot, as a win over an SEC program like Tennessee would be a big feather in the program’s cap. The Vols are riding a great win streak and would like a bowl victory to really give them some momentum for bigger goals in 2020. I think both teams will really give their all, which you don’t often get in bowl season. Because of that, I like the under to hit. I think the defenses from both teams will be the story. Indiana can certainly move the ball through the air, but the Hoosiers are facing a very strong pass defense that has faced some impressive offenses already. Tennessee isn’t going to overwhelm many with its offense, but I think the Vols can control the ball against Indiana’s defense.
Gator Bowl Prediction: Indiana/Tennessee Under 52