Gators Online Gameday Predictions: Florida Gators vs. Arkansas Razorbacks

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators can gain bowl eligibility this Saturday with a win over the Arkansas Razorbacks. The Hogs bring a 2-6 (0-5 SEC) record to Gainesville but are more talented than their record shows. Can the Florida Gators get back in the win column this week and secure a bowl bid?

Gators Online staff writers Zach Abolverdi, Nick de la Torre, Corey Bender, and Keith Niebuhr, will pick every game this season and we will keep track of our staff picks and predictions as the year goes.

Zach Abolverdi

I’ve said it all year and will repeat once again: Florida can’t debut new black uniforms and take an L. That’s one of multiple reasons I labeled this matchup a must-win game for UF back in the offseason.

That was before Arkansas opened SEC play with five straight losses as part of a six-game losing streak. And that was before knowing that Florida would finish its schedule with three top-15 opponents, making this game even more important for bowl eligibility.

The Gators are undefeated in The Swamp this season and have also shown the ability to bounce back from losses. They can’t let Georgia beat them twice, but I think the black unis and military appreciation week has helped the team turn the page.

So will facing a first-time playcaller with a struggling offense. The Hogs could get a boost if start running back Rocket Sanders returns, but UF’s defense should play well at home and Graham Mertz & Co. will make enough plays to get win No. 6.

Prediction: Florida, 27-20

Corey Bender

This is a must-win for the Gators for multiple reasons, but a victory would also clinch a bowl birth.

And thankfully for UF, this game will be played inside the Swamp. The Gators are a completely different program when playing in Gainesville and should have a bad taste in their mouth following the UGA loss. I’m sure donning the all-black jerseys will put an extra pep in their step too.

As for the Razorbacks, it’s certainly not the best of times in Fayetteville.

The Hogs are winless in the SEC, and on top of that, their lone victories are against Western Carolina and Kent State. Arkansas has kept it close in certain games, but there is a different level of talent when comparing these programs. This game being played at UF is a huge factor though.

The duo of Montrell Johnson and Trevor Etienne will be relied upon early and often, while I also expect Eugene Wilson III to get several touches in the first quarter too. I am expecting another big game from the 5-star freshman wide receiver.

The Gators are undefeated (4-0) at home this season and I don’t see that changing on Saturday.

Prediction: Florida, 38-20

Keith Niebuhr

When your opponent is 2-6, you might tend to take it lightly. But here are a couple of things to consider:

1. The Razorbacks have lost road games to three teams in the top 12 by a combined 13 points.

2. When you’re fighting to just make a bowl game, as the Gators are, you probably shouldn’t look past anyone.

Given what’s coming, Florida can’t afford a loss right now. 

But to win, a banged-up Gators defense will have to play far better than it has of late. On the flip side, Arkansas’ defense has the potential to cause Florida problems. The Razorbacks haven’t won many games, but they’re still physical. And still capable of winning Saturday.

The difference: It might be an amped-up crowd at The Swamp

Prediction: Florida, 16-13.

Nick de la Torre

This is a weird week. Florida and Arkansas aren’t regular opponents. Most Florida fans don’t know much about Arkansas outside of their 2-6 record. That record can be deceiving.

Arkansas held LSU to 34 points — second-fewest for the Tigers this season. They lost to Alabama by just three on the road. Five of the Hogs’ six losses have been by one possession. It’s not a 2-6 football team.

Austin Armstrong and the defense will need to be able to adjust on the fly to interim offensive coordinator Kenny Guiton, who will call plays for the first time this Saturday. Offensively, Florida needs to keep Mertz upright and healthy. Arkansas allows more than 130 yards on the ground a game, lean into your running game, and use a sold-out crowd to help gain bowl eligibility.

Prediction: Florida, 27-21

Tracking the picks

Game	Abolverdi	Bender	Niebuhr	de la Torre
Season Record:	7-1	5-3	7-1	7-1
Utah	Utah ✅	Utah ✅	Utah ✅	Florida ❌
McNeese	Florida ✅	Florida ✅	Florida ✅	Florida ✅
Tennessee	Florida ✅	Tennessee ❌	Florida ✅	Florida ✅
Charlotte	Florida ✅	Florida ✅	Florida ✅	Florida ✅
Kentucky	Florida ❌	Florida ❌	Florida ❌	Kentucky ✅
Vanderbilt	Florida ✅	Florida ✅	Florida ✅	Florida ✅
South Carolina	Florida ✅	South Carolina ❌	Florida ✅	Florida ✅
Georgia	Georgia ✅	Georgia ✅	Georgia ✅	Georgia ✅
Arkansas	Florida	Florida	Florida	Florida
LSU				
Missouri				
Florida State