Best Bets for Florida State vs Florida Rivalry Game

• Florida State hosts the Florida Gators as a 9.5-point favorite, but with the recent form of both teams that spread is likely to get covered by the Noles.
• Bovada offers a special bet on the exact first score of the game, with the best bet being on Florida State to open the game with a touchdown with +130 odds.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - One of college football's premier rivalries kicks off on Friday night when the Florida State Seminoles host the Florida Gators as a near 10-point favorite.

Florida State Seminoles vs Florida Gators Betting Odds

Betting on Florida State to Cover

The Gators have won the past three meetings between these rivals, but with the recent direction of both programs it seems that the 9.5-point spread at college football gambling sites may not be enough:

• Florida State Recent Dominance: Ever since the Seminole's mid-season three-game skid, they have looked like one of the most dominant teams in the country. In their four games since, FSU has outscored their competition 173 to 39 with an average score of 43.5 to 9.75.
• Florida Gator's Recent Struggles: Florida has some well-documented struggles as of late, with their most recent loss to Vanderbilt garnering the most criticism).
• National Rankings: Florida State was just ranked 16th overall in the most recent AP Poll, but to truly grasp the differences between the two programs it is important to go more in-depth. Florida State has scored 35.4 points per game (23rd nationally) to Florida's 31.2 ppg (47th). The true difference lies on the defensive side of the ball, as Florida State has allowed just 18 points per game (18th nationally) to Florida's 27.3 (T-77nd).

The different directions between the two programs, coupled with this game being played at Doak Campbell Field means the best bet is the Noles to cover the 9.5-point spread.

Betting on the First Score

Bovada offers more college football prop bets than nearly any other online gambling site, and it shows with their props for this game.

One that particularly stands out is betting on the first score of this game.

First Score of Florida State vs Florida - Exact Outcome

• Florida Touchdown +230
• Florida St Touchdown +130
• Florida Field Goal +425
• Florida St Field Goal +400
• Florida Any Other Score +5000
• Florida St Any Other Score +5000

Florida State to score first by way of a touchdown is the clear best bet of these options with +130 odds, as the Noles have scored the first points in eight of their games this season, with all eight of those scores by way of touchdown.

On the contrary, Florida has opened the scoring with a touchdown just twice in eleven, with UF bettors much better off betting on a field goal. The Gators have opened the scoring in their games with a field goal five times.

Florida State to score a touchdown is the best bet and aligns well with bets on the Noles to cover vs the Gators, but UF to kick an opening drive field goal may be a fine alternative for those looking to bet on the Billy Napier-led squad.