Gators unlikely to pity brash Bulldogs

Following the leadership of junior quarterback Tim Tebow, Florida has been showing opponents no mercy in recent weeks.

Off three consecutive blowout wins, the Gators are hungry for revenge when they face Georgia in a heated Southeastern Conference rivalry Saturday at Jacksonville, Fla.

It's not something he's eager to admit, but Florida coach Urban Meyer must be looking forward to settling a score.

Meyer and Bulldogs coach Mark Richt are downplaying the significance of last year's so-called "Gator Stomp," during which the Georgia players wildly celebrated their first touchdown of the game and drew two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. The Bulldogs went on to defeat the Gators, 42-30.

"Meyer can do his best 'coachspeak' and the Florida players can say all the right things, but rest assured the Gators took notice and have not forgotten the brashness of the Bulldogs," said Vegas Sports Authority handicapper Paul Stone, who recommends Florida as a 6-point favorite.

Stone said the emotional edges belong to the Gators, but, more important, they own the personnel advantages. Tebow is surrounded by explosive athletes, including wideout Percy Harvin and freshman running back Jeffrey Demps.

"Although Florida stubbed its toe in an early loss to Mississippi, the Gators have more offensive firepower than perhaps any team in the country," Stone said.

"Harvin is finally completely healthy and can go the distance on any play. Demps found his way onto the field in recent weeks and his numbers are just insane. He has 39 touches in the running and passing games and averages almost 12 yards a touch."

The 5-foot-8-inch, 176-pound Demps has 30 carries for 357 yards, nine receptions for 103 yards and five touchdowns.

Not to be discounted, Stone said, is that Meyer has proven to be a moneymaker at the betting window. The Gators have covered in 16 of their past 21 lined games.

"I see the Gators hitting on all cylinders in an effort to reposition themselves in the national championship race," Stone said. "I'm not sure there's a better team in college football than Florida."

Stone (vegassportsauthority.com) breaks down two more of his plays for Saturday (home team in CAPS):

• Texas (-31/2) over TEXAS TECH: There has been a lot of sentiment for the Red Raiders from top handicappers, but the Longhorns are the superior team playing an opponent they have dominated in recent years.

Texas Tech has one of the most underrated home-field advantages in college football, but the Red Raiders simply have played no one to this point in the season. Texas has averaged 48 points in its past five games against Tech, winning all five by an average of almost 18 points. Using the Sagarin rankings, the average ranking of Texas Tech's eight opponents before this week is No. 62, with No. 29 Nebraska being the top opponent.

Texas did not have the same starch last week against a game Oklahoma State squad as it did against Oklahoma, but I see the Longhorns refueling for their scrap with the Red Raiders and taking another step toward a possible national title.

• Utah (-71/2) over NEW MEXICO: Although the Utes carry the potential albatross of a No. 10 ranking into Albuquerque, they are too talented for the Lobos. With the exception of a home victory over Arizona early in the season, New Mexico has struggled against the better teams on its schedule -- Texas Christian, Texas A&M, Tulsa and Brigham Young.

Utah plays outstanding defense and should yield few points against the Lobos' limited offense, which is being run by backup quarterback Brad Gruner.

Utah, 17-7 against the spread in its past 24 lined games, is coming off a bye week, and New Mexico is playing for the 10th straight week. The Lobos have covered two of their past eight as underdogs.

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.