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Florida vs. Tennessee picks, predictions: College football Week 3 computer picks, lines, odds

Picks and predictions for Florida vs. Tennessee in this Week 3 college football game according to a proven computer model
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In the last 18 years, the Gators have come out ahead of the Volunteers 16 times in one of the SEC's oldest rivalries, which renews this weekend as Florida welcomes No. 11 Tennessee in college football's Week 3 action on Saturday.

But the Gators' five-game win streak in the series came to an end last season when Big Orange prevailed in a five-point win with both teams ranked in the top 25 poll. This time around, Florida sits at 1-1 with a loss at Utah and coming off a rout over McNeese State going into the SEC opener.

Tennessee is 2-0 and posting 478 yards per game behind the stewardship of quarterback Joe Milton, a 67 percent passer with seven all-purpose touchdowns, but is still waiting for backs Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small to record their first rushing scores while Dylan Sampson has carried the load so far, running for 3 touchdowns.

What do the experts think of the matchup? Let's see how the College Football Power Index computer prediction model projects the game.

Florida vs. Tennessee picks, predictions

Florida Gators running back Montrell Johnson, Jr. carries the ball during a college football game in the SEC.

Florida vs. Tennessee picks, predictions

Tennessee odds: The computer is siding with the Volunteers in a close game, projecting they have the 53.8 percent chance to win outright, according to the model that picks winners by simulating games 20,000 times.

Florida odds: Conversely, the Gators have a fighting chance according to the models, which forecast they have the 46.2 percent chance to pull off the upset against their rivals and improve to 2-1 on the year.

Point spread: Tennessee comes into the game as 5.5 point favorites against Florida, according to the lines at SI Sportsbook. (Track it live)

Total: 57.5 points

Florida predictions: The index ranks Florida as the No. 29 team nationally in the updated 133 college football rankings, projecting it will be 9.3 points better than an average opponent, estimated to win 6.0 games this season, and has a 62.9 percent shot to play in a bowl game.

Tennessee predictions: The computers rate the Volunteers as the No. 22 team in college football on the latest 133 polls, estimated to be 13.1 points better than an average opponent, estimated to win 8.3 games this season, and has a 10.4 percent chance to win the SEC East title.

Tennessee vs. Florida schedule

When: Sat., Sept. 16
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern
TV: ESPN network
Stream: fuboTV (Try for free)

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College Football Power Index

Football Power Index (FPI) college football rankings and computer prediction model are a measure of team strength that predicts a team’s future performance.

Rankings and scores predictions are based on 20,000 simulations of a team’s season, using a combination of analytics, including scores to date, quality of opponents, and a team’s schedule.

How to stream college football

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You can stream college football, the NFL, and other programming from any device, including your phone. There’s no contract, no hidden fees, and DVR is included: Click here to watch college football for free on fuboTV.

College football rankings

More: A closer look at the AP top 25

First-place votes in parentheses

  1. Georgia (55)
  2. Michigan (2)
  3. Florida State (3)
  4. Texas (2)
  5. USC
  6. Ohio State
  7. Penn State
  8. Washington
  9. Notre Dame
  10. Alabama
  11. Tennessee
  12. Utah
  13. Oregon
  14. LSU
  15. Kansas State
  16. Oregon State
  17. Ole Miss
  18. Colorado
  19. Oklahoma
  20. North Carolina
  21. Duke
  22. Miami
  23. Washington State
  24. UCLA
  25. Iowa

More college football from SI: Top 25 Rankings | Schedule | Teams

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