The FAU Owls and the Florida Gators meet in week 1 college football action from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a FAU Owls vs. Florida Gators Prediction.
FAU Owls Team Preview
The FAU Owls come into the 2026 season looking to bounce back from a 4-8 mark in 2025 in year one under Zack Kittley. Caden Veltkamp is back at QB after throwing for 3,641 yards and 24 TDs while Easton Messer is back after leading the conference with 104 passes for over 1,000 yards. On defense, Leon Hart is back after leading the Owls with 96 tackles and finishing with an all-conference season while Nate Fischer transfers in from San Diego where he had 97 tackles last season. C.J. Doggette led the Owls with 4 sacks and Deshawun Batiste and Wilky Denaud each are back on the edge on the defensive line.
Florida Gators Team Preview
The Florida Gators come into the 2026 campaign looking to start a new page after going 4-8 with a 2-6 mark in SEC play that ultimately led to the firing of Billy Napier. The Gators managed to lure Jon Sumrall from Tulane and Buster Faulkner from Georgia Tech as offensive coordinator. There’s a QB battle going on between Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo, who followed Faulkner, as well as freshmen Tramell Jones Jr. and Will Griffin. Jadan Baugh is back at RB as well to give the Gators some continuity. Vernell Brown is also back after leading the Gators with 40 catches while Eric Singleton Jr. comes over after starring at Georgia Tech and Auburn in his last two stops. On defense, Myles Graham is back after leading the Gators with 76 tackles and Joseph Mbatchou and Brendan Batt are both back up front.
Florida Atlantic Owls @ Florida Gators Betting Trends: Week 1
Why the Florida Gators will win
- Florida Atlantic has lost each of its last 11 road games against non-conference opponents.
- Florida has won 29 of its last 33 September games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Florida Atlantic has failed to cover the spread in six of its last seven games as an underdog in Florida.
- Florida has covered the spread in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
- Florida has won the first quarter in eight of its last nine games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Florida has won the first half in each of its last 14 September games as a home favorite.
Why the Florida Atlantic Owls will win
- The underdog has won six of Florida’s last nine games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
- Florida has lost four of its last five games.
- Florida has failed to cover the spread in each of its last six September games as a home favorite.
- Florida Atlantic has covered the spread in six of its last seven games against opponents from the Southeastern Conference.
- Florida Atlantic has won the first half in six of its last seven games against teams from Florida.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Florida’s last seven games as a favorite in Florida have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Six of Florida Atlantic’s last seven games against teams from Florida have gone OVER the total points line.
Florida Gators Player Prop Facts
- Patrick Durkin ranked T3rd amongst FBS players for made field goals (25) last season.
Florida Atlantic Owls Player Prop Facts
- Easton Messer has recorded 5+ receptions in 10 consecutive games – longest streak in the FBS.
Matchup/League Facts
- Florida ranked 131st among FBS teams for Q4 points per game last season (3.7).
- Florida ranked 130th among FBS teams for H2 points per game last season (8.2).
- Florida Atlantic ranked 1st among FBS teams for passing yards per game last season (340.2).
- Florida Atlantic ranked 133rd among FBS teams for H2 opponent points per game last season (17.5).
FAU Owls vs. Florida Gators Prediction
I’m on the over in this game. I think there’s still a ton of talent on both sides, but I think that FAU’s offense isn’t getting nearly enough credit as I think they’re a better team than last year’s 4-8 record. The Gators should be much improved under Sumrall, and I look for this to be a higher-scoring affair. So give me the over.