TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Preview
This game was looking like it was going to happen when Texas A&M had to drop out of this Bowl Game due to Covid-19 hitting their team. So it looked like the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl wasn’t going to happen at one point. However, they were able to find a replacement for Texas A&M. The matchup now is between Wake Forest (10-3) who originally was in this bowl game and Rutgers (5-7) who is replacing Texas A&M. The ACC vs the Big Ten is always a good matchup, however this matchup seems very one sided. With that being said here is my preview for the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.
Wake Forest
Wake Forest’s lives got a whole lot easier in this one. The Wake Forest offense must be salivating at the mouth thinking about this matchup. Wake Forest averages 41.2 points per game which is ranked 5th in the country. They also average 307.6 passing yards a game (21st in the nation) and 481.3 total yard of offense per game (17th in the nation). The Demon Deacons are led by quarterback Sam Hartman. Hartman has thrown for 3,924 passing yards to go along with 36 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. His top target available A.T. Perry will have a field day against this Rutgers defense. This Demon Deacon offense should have no problem against Rutgers here.
Defensively, Wake Forest struggles mightily but I think they can put together a good performance in this one. They give up just over 30 points per game and give up 202 rushing yards per game as well. However, with Rutgers not practicing up until eight days before the bowl game favors Wake’s defense in this one. Look for the Demon Deacons defense to have their best performance of the season.
Rutgers
The rust is going to be there for Rutgers in this bowl matchup. Even if this Rutgers team had a full amount of time to prepare for Wake Forest, I don’t feel confident in their offense to make this a game. I know Wake’s defense isn’t great, but Rutgers’ offense is not good. This is an offense that averages just over 20 points per game, and they rank in the 200’s in the nation in total yards of offense and passing yards as well. Rutgers averages 172.8 passing yards per game which is not good. This Wake defense gives up 221.8 passing yards per game, but I think they will be able to manage this Rutgers offense.
Defensively, Rutgers is going to have their hands fun. Wake’s offense is only missing one of their top receivers, but Hartman is still playing. Hartman is set up for a field day against this Rutgers defense. They give up a ton of yards, but have held opponents to 24.6 points per game. However, with only having eight days to prepare this will not end well for them. They will be out of rhythm, out of shape and will struggle heavily in this one.
Prediction:
Wake Forest is a 16 point favorite and the over/under is set at 62.5. My lean here is the over as I think Wake Forest will score a ton and given how bad Wake’s defense is Rutgers could score a bunch as well. I never do this when it comes to betting, but my official play is Wake Forest -16. The Demon Deacons have been staying in shape, while Rutgers has had over a month off so it just makes it easy when I take Wake Forest even with giving up all those points.
-Chris Jones (@cjoneswho1212)
Featured Image (taxslayer.com)
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