2022 Florida Gators Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions

Daniel Dobish Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

2022 FLORIDA GATORS BETTING ODDS, PREDICTIONS, PREVIEW

The 2021-22 Florida Gators showed some glimpses of brilliance, especially during the early portion of the season, pounding Tennessee and giving Alabama a scare in The Swamp before eventually falling 31-29 on Sept. 18. However, after a 4-2 start, including a shutout win and 39-point cover against Vanderbilt, things went south in a hurry. The Gators were outgunned at LSU in a wild 49-42 game on Oct. 16, and two weeks later they were pasted in the Cocktail Party by rival Georgia 34-7. The Gators were never able to get on track, as they were boat-raced at South Carolina, and allowed 52 points in a win against FCS Samford.

The Gators wrapped up their season with an uninspiring 24-21 win over rival Florida State, and a 29-17 setback to UCF in the Gasparilla Bowl. After a decent start, Florida ended up winning just two games against FBS opponents in October, November and December, and that's including Vanderbilt, a team barely qualifying as FBS. The Gators also failed to cover the final seven, darlings to bettors fading them down the stretch.

Head coach Billy Napier comes over from Louisiana, and he brings a youthfulness and hopefulness after mostly failed eras under the leadership of Dan Mullen, Jim McIlwain and Will Muschamp. Can Napier get the Gators back to national prominence like we saw during the Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer days?

Updated on 12/22/2024

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Gone is QB Emory Jones, who started 12 of the team's 13 games last season, as he has moved on to Arizona State. QB Anthony Richardson is a dual-threat option looking to regain his form after knee surgery.

Napier must find a replacement for RB Dameon Pierce's 13 rushing touchdowns, too. Montrell Johnson could have the inside track, as he joins Napier in Gainesville after coming over from Lafayette. Johnson will be trying to unseat incumbent RB Nay'Quan Wright, who isn't likely to see much action until the fall as he recovers from knee surgery of his own. Johnson pierced the end zone 12 times for ULL in 2021, so he is one to watch, although SEC competition is quite a step up from the Sun Belt.

Gone is WR Jacob Copeland, too. He led the Gators with 41 receptions, 662 yards and four scores, but elected to transfer to Maryland of all places. WR Justin Shorter (41-550-3) appears to be the best of the lot for Richardson. TE Kemore Gamble also elected to transfer out to UCF, taking his 31 grabs, 414 yards and three TDs with.

On the defensive side of the ball, Florida loses its top two tacklers from a year ago, too, as Mohamoud Diabate and Ty'Ron Hopper elected to jump ship. Florida has a lot of jelling to do early, and the schedule gets ramped up quick with a difficult non-conference game against Utah, and the conference opener against Kentucky in Game No. 2. The Gators could be playing catch-up all season long. However, the final third of the schedule isn't terribly daunting, and Florida should finish up on a high note, perhaps securing bowl eligibility late in November. Go lightly on the Over 6.5 Wins (-160), as it's moderate chalk to eat with so much uncertainty.

Best Bet: Florida Over 6.5 Wins (-160)

2022 FLORIDA GATORS SCHEDULE

• Sat., Sept. 3 - vs. Utah
• Sat., Sept. 10 - vs. Kentucky
• Sat., Sept. 17 - vs. USF
• Sat., Sept. 24 - at Tennessee
• Sat., Oct. 1 - vs. Eastern Washington
• Sat., Oct. 8 - vs. Missouri
• Sat., Oct. 15 - vs. LSU
• Sat., Oct. 29 - vs. Georgia*
• Sat., Nov. 5 - at Texas A&M
• Sat., Nov. 12 - vs. South Carolina
• Sat., Nov. 19 - at Vanderbilt
• Sat., Nov. 25 - at FSU

WIN TOTAL ODDS

• Over 6.5 (-160)
• Under 6.5 (+130)

FLORIDA GATORS ODDS TO WIN SEC CHAMPIONSHIP

+5000

The Gators are going to be fighting just to attain bowl eligibility in their first season under Billy Napier. Florida doesn't have the luxury of cupcake games in the early going, facing perennial Pac-12 power Utah, as well as Kentucky in the league opener, a team which is essentially on par or slightly ahead of Florida at the moment.

Florida could very well have its second loss in the league by the end of September, and that's before even facing the likes of LSU, Georgia and Texas A&M. There will be no championship this season, although Florida 'should' be on the right track under one of the brightest up-and-coming coaches in the nation. It won't be long before this isn't a silly wager.

FLORIDA GATORS ODDS TO WIN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

+6600

You have to win a league title to realistically have a shot at a spot in the College Football Playoff, and yeah, that's not happening. Florida will be fighting just to get to a postseason game like the Birmingham Bowl or Gasparilla Bowl, not a New Year's Day playoff game and Final Four spot.

FLORIDA GATORS 2022 HEISMAN CONTENDERS & ODDS

Anthony Richardson (QB) +3500

Jack Miller (QB) +10000

Richardson is a Swiss Army knife, capable of doing good things both with his arm and his feet. However, losing a strong receiving option like Copeland hurts. He will also need a tight end to emerge. The run game is also a work in progress, too. There won't be a Heisman in Gainesville, or anything close to it, but Richardson is a much better option under center than Jack Miller.

2021 FLORIDA GATORS BETTING RESULTS

• SU: 6-7
• ATS: 3-10
• O/U: 4-8-1
• ATS-Home: 3-5
• ATS-Road: 0-5
• ATS-Favorite: 2-9
• ATS-Underdog: 1-1

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Daniel Dobish

Dan is a handicapper and sports betting expert for VegasInsider with years of experience writing for a number of top publications in the industry. More from Daniel Dobish