Oddsmakers expect big things from Miami, FAU

Las Vegas bookmakers expect plenty of winning from the Sunshine State this fall, as the Southpoint Casino has six of Florida’s seven FBS football teams with over/ unders of at least seven wins.

After finishing last season 10-3 in Mark Richt’s second season, the Miami Hurricanes’ over/under has been set at 10 wins, the highest of any Florida team. Miami began last season 10-0 and emerged as a possible national championship con- tender before losing its final three games.

The casino also thinks highly of Lane Kiffin and Florida Atlantic, setting the Owls’ over/under at nine wins. FAU went 11-3 last season and returns five All-Conference USA players. The Owls have the highest over/ under of any C-USA team and are looking to repeat as conference champions.

After going 13-0 last season, the Central Florida Knights also have an over/ under of nine wins. UCF lost coach Scott Frost to Nebraska and graduated several key players, including linebacker Shaquem Griffin. UCF and FAU will play each other in Orlando on Sept. 21.

South Florida, perhaps the state’s most under-the- radar team, went 10-2 last season. The Bulls are projected to achieve similar success this year, with Vegas setting their over/under at 8.5 wins. Though the Bulls have an easy out-of-conference schedule, the parity of the American Conference could pose a challenge.

The Florida Gators hit a rough patch last season, but the casino sees first-year coach Dan Mullen leading the Gators back to a winning record in 2018, setting the Gators’ number at 7.5 wins.

Florida State is also looking to rebound after a disappointing 7-6 season under Jimbo Fisher, who departed Tallahassee for Texas A&M. Former USF and Oregon coach Willie Taggart returns to the state with the hope of restoring glory to the Seminoles, who were hit by key injuries last year, including the loss of their starting quarterback in the season-opening loss to Alabama, and only narrowly made it to a bowl game.

Butch Davis led Florida International to its first winning season since 2011 with an 8-5 record last year, but Vegas isn’t optimistic about the Panthers’ chances this fall, setting the team’s over/ under at only five wins. FIU must replace key offensive players, including quarterback Alex McGough, running back Alex Gardner and wide receiver Thomas Owens.