- Matchup: Florida Atlantic Owls vs Florida Gators
- Event Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
- Venue: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL
- Broadcast: ESPN+
- Betting Odds: Gators favored by 27.5 points
- Total Points Over-Under: 58.5
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The Florida Atlantic Owls, who concluded the previous season with a 4-8 record, are set to face the Florida Gators (also 4-8) at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday, September 5, 2026. The Gators start as 27.5-point favorites according to Vegas odds, with the total set at 58.5 points.
Last season, the Owls struggled, finishing with a 4-8 mark. Their last game saw them face the East Carolina Pirates, resulting in a heavy defeat of 42-3. During that matchup, the Owls executed 73 plays, accumulating a total of 338 yards. They rushed the ball 22 times, gaining a mere 39 yards—an average of just 1.8 yards per carry. Defensively, Florida Atlantic allowed 254 rushing yards on 56 attempts, yielding an average of 4.5 yards per rush. They also permitted 20 completions on 30 attempts through the air for 258 yards, boasting a completion rate of 66.7%.
When it comes to scoring, the Owls averaged 29.5 points per game. Their ground game, averaging 104.5 yards per outing, placed them 123rd in D-1 rankings. Over the past season, Florida Atlantic accumulated a total of 5,336 yards, with 28 touchdowns through the air and 13 on the ground. They garnered 296 first downs but were hindered by 79 penalties totaling 672 yards, alongside 29 turnovers.
On the defensive front, the Owls allowed 2,822 passing yards (73rd in the nation), averaging 235.2 yards allowed per game while yielding a completion percentage of 64.3%. Overall, they permitted an average of 436.5 total yards per game, ranking them 130th in the nation. Florida Atlantic allowed 20 touchdowns through the air and 35 on the ground, conceding an average of 4.8 rushing yards per carry and 201.3 rushing yards per game, totaling 2,416 yards over the season. They ranked 131st in Division 1 in points allowed, giving up an average of 36.3 points per game.
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The Florida Gators completed last season with a 4-8 record as well. In their most recent matchup, they earned a win against the Florida State Seminoles, finishing 40-21. The Gators’ defense allowed 37 rushing attempts for 167 yards (4.5 yards per rush). In terms of passing defense, they conceded 240 yards on 17 completions from 28 attempts, achieving a completion rate of 60.7%. Offensively, the Gators amassed a total of 440 yards on 69 plays, averaging 6.4 yards per play, with 272 yards on the ground from 45 attempts (6.0 yards per carry).
Throughout the season, the Florida Gators averaged 341.3 yards per game, placing them 104th in college football. The team faced 61 penalties, yielding a total of 524 yards in penalties, ranking 113th nationwide. They recorded an average of 136.8 rushing yards per game, totaling 1,642 yards for the season. The offense threw 14 interceptions and lost 4 fumbles while achieving 227 first downs. When it came to scoring, the Gators fell short, ranking 111th in the country with an average of 21.6 points per game. They accumulated 2,455 passing yards last season, averaging 204.6 yards through the air, placing them 93rd nationally.
On the defensive side, the Gators permitted an average of 24.0 points per game, landing them in the 60th position in college football. They surrendered a total of 1,847 rushing yards (153.9 yards per game) along with 22 rushing touchdowns. Through the air, they allowed 222.9 yards per game, leading to 13 touchdown passes against them, ranking 76th in college football. The Gators’ defense spent 798 plays on the field, putting them in the 35th rank in the nation. They recorded a total of 7 fumbles and 10 interceptions, ultimately allowing 288 total points.
Who will emerge victorious in this upcoming Owls versus Gators clash?
Prediction: Bet on the Gators -27.5!
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