Bodog Beat

Do you have money on the Florida Gators? (AP Images)

The Florida Gators have looked very mortal of late, winning their past three games by 10 points or less (1-2 ATS) but they still are -14 1/2 on Bodog’s college football odds for Saturday’s game in Jacksonville with rival Georgia.

The Dawgs also have the benefit of coming off a bye week. All-time in this rivalry, Georgia is 3-2 vs. Florida when coming off a bye week, and the Bulldogs’ most recent win against UF, in 2007, followed a UGA open date. Under Mark Richt, Georgia is 11-3 after bye weeks. But the Bulldogs are unranked in this game for the first time in 13 years, and UF was won eight of the 13 meetings in which it was ranked and Georgia was unranked. And Florida has won 16 of the past 19 overall in the series.

Gators star Tim Tebow has been struggling of late, and the Gators have scored touchdowns in just two of their past 15 trips inside the 20. But with one more rushing TD, Tebow (49 career rushing TDs) will break the tie with former Georgia RB Herschel Walker for the most career rushing touchdowns in the SEC. And you know Tebow would love to do it in his final college game in Jacksonville, his hometown.

When deciding which way to go with the college football odds on this game, the key likely will be whether Georgia can run the ball and force turnovers. However, the Dawgs are last in the SEC in rushing yards per game and rushing TDs. Under Urban Meyer, the Gators are 2-4 when they’ve been outrushed. But this year’s defense is allowing just 2.9 yards per carry and leads the nation in total defense. Georgia has only six takeaways this year, tied for worst in the FBS.

The Dawgs are 6-1 when playing the defending national champion, including wins over Florida in 2007 and 1997.