• We’ve made d the Florida vs Tulane prediction for Friday’s Gasparilla Bowl
• The Gators are 10-point favorites over the Green Wave at Raymond James Stadium
• Read below for Florida vs Tulane odds, picks and betting analysis

College football fans will be treated to a rare Friday afternoon matinee on December 20th as the Florida Gators (7-5) clash with the Tulane Green Wave (9-4) in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl.

Kickoff is set for 3:30 PM ET at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, with ESPN2 providing the national TV coverage. The Gators enter as 10-point favorites over the Green Wave, with the total points over/under line set at 49.5.

Let’s dive into our Florida vs Tulane prediction, as we analyze the Gasparilla Bowl odds and make our Friday CFB bowl prediction.

Florida vs Tulane Odds – Gasparilla Bowl

Florida is currently listed as a 10-point favorite, suggesting oddsmakers give them a 67.6% implied probability of winning the game. The sizable spread is likely due to Florida’s strong finish to the season, playing in the SEC, and QB DJ Lagway suiting up.

Tulane’s moneyline odds of +320 indicate they have a 23.8% chance of pulling off the outright upset. The total points over/under of 49.5 implies a projected combined score in the range of 49-50 points.

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Odds as of December 20, 2024, at ESPN Sportsbook. Register with the ESPN Bet promo code to place a bet on Friday’s bowl action,

Gators Betting Analysis

After a turbulent 4-5 start, the Gators found their sea legs down the stretch. They enter on a 3-game heater, highlighted by upsets over ranked opponents LSU and Ole Miss. The catalyst? Electric freshman QB DJ Lagway.

The dual-threat dynamo sparked the offense once he took the helm, going 5-1 as a starter. He finished with 1,610 passing yards and 11 TDs. Lagway will have his full complement of weapons, as RBs Jadan Baugh and Montrell Johnson Jr., along with WRs Elijhah Badger and Chimere Dike, are all suiting up.

UNREAL @DerekLagway

ESPN 2 pic.twitter.com/aR0gkDZJJM

— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) December 1, 2024

Florida’s defense has holes, especially against the run (140 ypg allowed). However, the unit found its groove late, holding three straight opponents under 20 points. Stars like DT Caleb Banks and LB Shemar James are slated to play, though the Gators will miss portal departees Jack Pyburn and TJ Searcy.

The Gators played the nation’s 5th toughest schedule per Sagarin. That gauntlet should have them battle-tested for bowl season..

Green Wave Betting Analysis

Tulane rolled to 9 wins and an AAC title game appearance. However, Willie Fritz’s squad hit choppy waters late with back-to-back losses to Memphis and Army.

The Green Wave’s offense revolves around a dominant ground game, ranking top 10 nationally in rush rate (62.6%). Makhi “The Motor” Hughes (1,372 yards) powers the attack and must be licking his chops against Florida’s suspect run D.

However, the big story is under center. Tulane lost the services of star freshman QB Darian Mensah, who shocked many by transferring to Duke.

BREAKING: Tulane transfer quarterback Darian Mensah has committed to Duke!

He is the #1 ranked player in the portal. pic.twitter.com/wYTwhSUpEl

— Blue Devils (@BlueDevils) December 11, 2024

Former Oregon QB Ty Thompson, who’s also in the portal, will make his 1st career start. Thompson was a 5-star recruit coming out of high school, but the passing game takes a major hit without Mensah at the controls.

Tulane’s defense sprung leaks late in the year, allowing 34+ points in the final two losses. The Green Wave are also 0-3 against Power 5 opponents and only notched four wins over bowl-bound foes. Do they have enough firepower to hang with the SEC’s Gators?

Florida vs Tulane Prediction

I’m predicting a Gator victory, but for Tulane to sneak in through the backdoor and cover this inflated spread. Florida is 5-0 when Lagway starts and finishes, plus they’re much healthier on both sides of the ball compared to a Green Wave squad that will be without its starting QB.

However, I’m not convinced Florida can simply boat race a pesky Tulane group. The Green Wave’s elite rushing attack (205 ypg) should find plenty of room to operate against a Gator defense that’s coughing up 140 ypg on the ground and will be without two key contributors.

Locked in & ready for game day. #UptownFootball pic.twitter.com/o04ktilH5G

— Tulane Football (@GreenWaveFB) December 19, 2024

Tulane has been a bettor’s friend all year, covering in 9 of 12 games and in 4 of their last 5. Don’t sleep on Thompson under center for the Green Wave, either. The former 5-star recruit has the talent to sling it around and comes in with little film for the Gators to scout.

Ultimately, I trust Lagway and Florida’s superior talent to make enough plays to seal the victory. But this just feels like too many points to lay against a dangerous Tulane squad playing with house money.

I’m grabbing the Green Wave and the points, but the Gators get the W in a tight one.

• My pick: Tulane +10
• Predicted final score: Florida 31, Tulane 24

The post Florida vs Tulane Gasparilla Bowl Prediction & Odds (Friday, Dec. 20) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.