Previewing the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl: Florida vs. Oregon State
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This is the preview for the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl
Florida vs. Oregon State (-6.5, 55)
Date: Saturday, Dec. 17, 2:30 p.m. ET
Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Betting splits: 34% of bets, 64% of handle on Oregon State -6.5
On December 5, Oregon St. opened as a 6.5-point favorite against Florida at DraftKings Sportsbook. By the end of the day, the Beavers were a 10-point favorite. Oregon St. finished the year with a 9-3 record and was ranked #14 in the final College Football Playoff rankings. The Beavers scored 21 unanswered points in their regular season finale and upset Oregon, 38-34. Jonathan Smith’s squad finished with a 10-2 record against the spread.
The first year of the Billy Napier era got off to an incredible start thanks to a season-opening victory over eventual Pac-12 champion, Utah. QB Anthony Richardson rushed for 106 yards and three touchdowns against the Utes and had a remarkable two-point conversion in the fourth quarter. Richardson, who threw 17 touchdowns and rushed for nine more, declared for the NFL Draft and will not play in the Las Vegas Bowl. Additionally, All-American G O’Cyrus Torrence has opted out of the game as well as WR Justin Shorter (29 catches, 577 yards, 2 TD) and LB Ventrell Miller (75 tackles). Backup QB Jalen Kitna was dismissed from the team after he was arrested on child pornography charges. Ohio St. transfer Jack Miller III is expected to start at quarterback for the Gators. DT Gervon Dexter announced that he will be headed to the NFL but will play in the Las Vegas Bowl. “It was never a question,” Dexter told reporters about playing in Florida’s bowl game.
The Gators will likely rely on a pair of talented running backs in the game, Montrell Johnson and Trevor Etienne. Johnson rushed for 827 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Etienne finished with 705 yards and six touchdowns. Oregon St. finished 20th in rushing defense and allowed just 331 yards per game over their final seven games.
Unlike Florida, Oregon St. does not have many opt-outs to worry about. QB Chance Nolan hit the transfer portal but QB Ben Gulbranson has started since October 8 for the Beavers. TE Luke Musgrave is headed to the NFL, but Musgrave missed the final 10 games of the season due to injury. Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, RB Damien Martinez, was banged up in the season finale against Oregon but is expected to play. Martinez rushed for 970 yards on the season. LB Jack Colletto won the 2022 Hornung Award, which is given annually to college football’s most versatile player. Colletto had 23 tackles and also rushed for six touchdowns. The Beavers will be without First Team All Pac-12 CB Rejzohn Wright. Wright is out due to thumb surgery.
In his fifth year as the head coach of his alma mater, Jonathan Smith is looking to lead the Beavers to their first bowl win since the 2013 Hawaii Bowl. Additionally, a win would secure the third 10-win season in school history. – Tim Murray
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