Florida -4.5 (-112)
Todd Golden’s Gators open 2026–27 as the consensus No. 1 team in the country, the first time Florida has held that spot since 2006. They bring back an enormous amount of production from a team that won the SEC and sat among the national title contenders.
Miami is a legitimate opponent. Jim Larrañaga’s group went 27-8, enters ranked No. 14, and added real talent through the portal and veteran ranks. This neutral-site game in Tampa is their early-season Super Bowl, a huge stage to knock off the top-ranked team right out of the gate. The market is clearly high on the Hurricanes, and that gives us some pause.
Still, this game will be decided in the paint, and Florida has the clear edge there in length and depth. Miami’s perimeter shot-making and guard play can keep things close for stretches, but Florida’s defense tends to grind teams down over 40 minutes. Add a veteran core that knows how to execute in high-profile neutral-court settings, and we like the Gators to separate late.
The No. 1 ranking isn’t hype. We’ll back the favorite.
Take Florida -4.5 (-112)
Let's cash some tickets!