Tulane vs. Florida: Predictions and odds for the Gasparilla Bowl
This was the year that several college football fans started wondering whether or not the SEC has taken a step back. The Georgia Bulldogs lost two games, yet won the conference. Alabama lost to Vanderbilt and missed the playoff entirely, despite the expansion to 12 teams. Perhaps the SEC's run of dominance is coming to a close, and perhaps other conferences are starting to catch up to them.
The 2024 Gasparilla Bowl between the Florida Gators and Tulane Green Wave will be a very good measuring stick for the conference moving forward. Many SEC truthers still claim that a middle of the road SEC team would dominate most other conferences. Well, Florida finished 10th in the SEC with a 4-4 conference record. Tulane nearly won the AAC and was a ranked team fairly late in the year, despite their 9-4 overall record.
It's time for the SEC to put its money where its mouth is. By the law of conference strength, the Gators should dominate this contest, right? But will that actually happen? Here's everything to know about the 2024 Gasparilla Bowl.
2024 Gasparilla Bowl, Florida vs. Tulane 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."
Adam Burke, VSiN: Tulane to cover the spread
Burke writes, "This line has gotten too high. [Tulane quarterback Ty] Thompson was at Oregon and was once a very highly-rated recruit. [Makhi] Hughes is a future NFL running back and [Mario] Williams could latch on somewhere as well. Tulane did look disinterested against Army, but that was after their CFP hopes went up in flames. [DJ] Lagway isn’t an overly efficient passer and Tulane’s run defense hung in there against Kansas State and Oklahoma."
Jaren Kawada, ClutchPoints: Florida (-13.5)
Kawada writes, "Given how [DJ] Lagway and the offense have looked lately, there is no reason to believe a Mensah-less Tulane offense can keep up with them. Lagway is not the only Gator to pick up the pace down the stretch, as running back Montrell Johnson Jr. has topped 90 rushing yards in three of the last four games."
Blake Silverman, Sports Illustrated: Florida to win
Silverman writes, "Driving the late season surge and looking to build heading into year two in Gainesville, [Florida QB DJ] Lagway should come out slinging in Florida's bowl game. Although [Tulane QB Ty] Thompson will look to show out equally for Tulane, Mensah's transfer and opt-out for their bowl game are a tall task to overcome, especially against a surging SEC team like Florida."
Gasparilla Bowl game odds, spread and lines
Florida is favored to defeat Tulane according to the BetMGM college football odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering betting promos in 2023.
All odds as of Thursday, December 19:
- Spread: Florida (-10.5)
- Moneyline: Florida (-450); Tulane (+340)
- Over/under: 49.5
How to watch 2024 Gasparilla Bowl: TV, streaming and schedule
When: Friday, Dec. 20
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT
Where: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida
Cable TV: ESPN2
Streaming: Fubo
Stream the 2024 Gasparilla Bowl with a Fubo subscription
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