Gator Bowl Prediction
Can Tennessee finish out a strong second half of the 2019 season when the Vols face Indiana in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl tonight 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 53 points. The public betting currently has 70 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.
Vols playing with momentum
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.
Indiana looking to end bowl drought
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.
College Football Betting Trends
Tennessee
The Vols are 4-1 against the spread in their last five bowl games as a favorite and 6-2 ATS in their last eight games on a neutral field.
Indiana
The Hoosiers are 6-13 against the spread in their last 19 games on grass and 1-5 against the spread in their last six games on a neutral field.
Prediction:
Both of these teams are trying to really put a cherry atop their 2019 sundae tonight. Tennessee finally broke through in November and has looked like a team that could make waves in 2020. On paper, the Vols are the better team and should be able to get the cover as long as they don’t get too high on themselves and overlook Indiana. The Hoosiers aren’t the same program that has meddled in the Big Ten for decades. Indiana has competed with the best in the Big Ten this year, but I think they aren’t quite ready for the physicality of the SEC and Tennessee. The Vols are more battle tested and I think it will show tonight.
Gator Bowl Prediction: Tennessee -1.5
Related: Gator Bowl Total Prediction