For just the second time in their long histories, Florida and Virginia will meet on the gridiron. It will be the Cavaliers first-ever New Year’s Six bowl appearance and the Gators first Orange Bowl appearance since 2001. Florida will have the home state advantage with the game being played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
How they got here: Florida
With the likes of LSU, Georgia, Auburn, and Alabama this season, Florida’s great season almost got lost in the shuffle. They finished the season 10-2, with their only losses coming to the aforementioned Georgia and LSU. The Gators ended its season with a 40-17 win over Florida State.
Florida gets it done on both sides of the ball, averaging 420.7 yards per game on offense while allowing just 299. At quarterback, Kyle Trask has been a revelation since the gruesome season-ending injury suffered by Feleipe Franks in Week 3 against Kentucky. Trask finished his campaign with 2,363 yards passing and 24 touchdowns, completing 67.6% of his passes. His plethora of weapons has led Florida to average 33 points per game.
On defense, the Gators got to the quarterback at the third-highest rate in college football. LB Jonathan Greenard leads the team with 8.5, with six players getting to the quarterback at least three times. This combined with their 15 interceptions has led the Gators to allow just 14.4 points per game, good for seventh in all of college football.
How they got here: Virginia
Virginia won its first-ever ACC Coastal title and had the honor of getting thumped 62-17 by Clemson in the ACC championship game. Other than that, the Cavaliers had a successful season, winning nine games after going 8-5 the season prior. Bronco Mendenhall has turned around the program already in year four.
When talking about good quarterbacks, Bryce Perkins has to enter the conversation. Perkins led the Cavaliers in passing yards (3,215) and rushing yards (745), totaling 29 touchdowns. In his senior year, Perkins has written himself in as one of the best quarterbacks in school history.
The Cavaliers defense isn’t one of the best in the nation, but it usually is good enough. Outside of getting roughed up by Clemson and Notre Dame, Virginia’s defense kept them in games. And speaking of sacks, Virginia had just one less than Florida this season, getting to the quarterback 45 times. They also have one of the best safeties in the country in Joey Blount. Blount recorded 3.5 sacks and three interceptions on the year and could be the key if Virginia wants to pull the upset.
Player to Watch: Florida
The Gators have one of the best young tight ends in the country in Kyle Pitts. Pitts led the team with 620 yards and also hauled in five touchdowns. Virginia features Blount and also stud linebacker Jordan Mack, so it will be interesting to see how they try to cover Pitts.
Player to Watch: Virginia
Virginia has one of the best WR1’s in the nation in Hasise Dubois. Dubois led the team in receiving yards with 979 and averages a team-best 15.1 yards per catch. He will need to have a great game against an elite secondary in order for the Cavaliers to keep it close.
Gambling picks (UF -14.5, O/U 54.5)
Virginia had a great year, but Florida is an absolutely brutal matchup for them. The Cavaliers struggle especially with teams with elite pass rushers. The Gators are the more talented team here and should cover. I like UF (-14.5). As for the over/under, this is a tough one. I like the Gators to win 38-20, which puts us just a few points over.