Gasparilla Bowl: Florida vs. Tulane predictions, odds, how to watch
Two teams heading in opposite directions at the end of the regular season will clash in the 2024 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl on Friday, Dec. 20 in Tampa, Florida.
After stumbling out of the gate, the Florida Gators (7-5) rallied behind embattled coach Billy Napier to win their final four games and build some momentum going into the offseason.
Florida's offense is led by a pair of freshmen: quarterback DJ Lagway, who threw for 1,610 yards and 11 touchdowns, and running back Jadan Baugh, who paced the team with 603 rushing yards and seven TDs. The Gators' overall talent level should be enough to propel them to victory over an opponent that's 0-3 against Power Four teams this season.
Florida hasn't won a bowl game since defeating Virginia in the 2019 Orange Bowl.
Meanwhile, the Tulane Green Wave (9-4) had designs on a potential spot in the College Football Playoff as the Group of Five representative before losing to Memphis and being routed by Army in the AAC championship game.
First-year coach Jon Sumrall's squad relied heavily all season on redshirt freshman quarterback Darian Mensah, who threw for 2,723 yards and 23 touchdowns. However, Mensah has already entered the transfer portal and will not play in the game, leaving Oregon transfer Ty Thompson as the likely starter.
Here's what else to know about the matchup, including predictions, betting odds and how to watch:
2024 Gasparilla Bowl: Tulane vs. Florida predictions
Paste BN: Florida is unanimous pick
- Scooby Axon: Florida
- Jordan Mendoza: Florida
- Paul Myerberg: Florida
- Erick Smith: Florida
- Eddie Timanus: Florida
- Dan Wolken: Florida
ESPN: Florida 31, Tulane 17
"Florida players and fans normally wouldn't be excited about a non-CFP bowl in mid-December, but the program's heartening finish under coach Billy Napier, coupled with a good recruiting push, has improved the vibes significantly. A really exciting quarterback matchup between Florida's DJ Lagway and Tulane's Darian Mensah took a hit as Mensah is reportedly set to enter the transfer portal."
College Football News: Florida 34, Tulane 17
"Florida needs to win this. It has enough parts back to be fine, there will be a home field advantage, and the team should be able to rumble enough to take out a Tulane team that’s 0-3 against Power Four teams this season to go along with the blowout loss to Army."
The Athletic: Gators poised to chomp
Eight of the nine staffers at The Athletic picked Florida to beat Tulane in the 2024 Gasparilla Bowl.
BetMGM: Florida wins easily
BetMGM's betting model gives Florida a 79.5% chance of beating Tulane as of Thursday, Dec. 12, based on game simulations, offensive and defensive matchups and recent game result. The model also predicts with 70.8% confidence that the Gators will cover the 14-point spread.
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2024 Gasparilla Bowl: Tulane vs. Florida odds
The Florida Gators are favorites to defeat the Tulane Green Wave, according to the BetMGM odds.
Betting odds as of evening of Tuesday, Dec. 17:
- Spread: Florida (-13.5)
- Moneyline: Florida (-450); Tulane (+400)
- Over/under: 49.5
Gasparilla Bowl 2024: How to watch Tulane vs. Florida
- Date: Friday, Dec. 20
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN2
- Stream: Fubo
- Where: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
Watch Florida vs. Tulane with Fubo