Following suspensions, is Florida significant underdog vs. Michigan? 8/14/17
Following the suspensions of seven players for their season opener versus Michigan, is Florida a significant underdog in Week 1?
The Odds: Florida vs. Michigan
Despite suspending seven players for the season-opener, the Gators aren’t significant underdogs versus the Wolverines. According to oddsmakers, Michigan is favored by only a field goal versus Florida.
At the Westgate superbook in Las Vegas, Michigan opened as a 4-point favorite. The line dropped to 3.5. Then it fell again to 2.5. There was similar movement at other Vegas sports books, although the Wolverines have settled in as either a 3 or 3.5-point favorite.
The Suspensions
Florida suspended junior wide receiver Antonio Callaway and six other players for the program’s season-opener. The game will be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on September 2. In addition to Callaway, junior defensive end Keivonnis Davis, freshman offensive lineman Kadeem Telfort, redshirt freshman defensive lineman Jordan Smith, sophomore defensive line Richerd Desir-Jones, freshman linebacker Ventrell Miller, and freshman linebacker James Houston will all sit versus the Wolverines.
Callaway is the biggest name of the group. He’s an NFL-caliber receiver that has run into trouble several times while at Florida. Before this latest incident, Callaway was also cited for marijuana possession in mid-May.
According to 247Sports’ Thomas Goldkamp, the seven players were involved in a form of credit card fraud. Goldkamp wrote that “a misuse of school-issued funds intended for specific use” was the issue. He added that “some of the players involved used the funds from part of their scholarship agreement to buy electronics equipment, then later reported the cards stolen.” Per Goldkamp, some of the players “sold the electronics equipment purchased with the school-issued funds.”
Florida Gators Season Snapshot
The Gators will once again have a strong squad under Jim McElwain, who is in his third year. The Gators are 19-8 under McElwain and their defense remains stout. In fact, their run defense should be one of the best in the SEC, if not the nation.
The problem, however, is once again on offense. The team has had a revolving door at quarterback. If redshirt freshman Feleipe Franks or Notre Dame graduate transfer Malik Zaire can settle the position, then the Gators have to be considered the favorites to win the SEC East (although Georgia will also be in the mix).
