Long Island vs Florida Prediction 8/30/2025 Today’s College Football Picks

The LIU Sharks and the Florida Gators meet in week 1 college football action from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an LIU Sharks vs. Florida Gators prediction.

LIU Sharks Team Preview

The LIU Sharks will be looking to start 2025 with a bang and a massive upset after going 4-8 in 2024, with a 3-3 mark in NEC conference play. The Sharks bring back a fair amount of production, including a pair preseason all-conference pieces throughout the lineup, including Ethan Greenwood, who at QB rushed for 913 yards and 76.1 yards per game. Through the air, Greenwood tossed for 921 yards with 6 TDs and just two interceptions. DQ Watkins is also back on the defensive side after picking up 41 total tackles and 8.5 tackles for a loss as well as 5.5 sacks which was top-5 in the conference.

Why the LIU Sharks will win

• Florida has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six games against non-conference opponents at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Florida Gators Team Preview

The Florida Gators will be out to build on what was a solid 2024 season where the Gators finished 8-5 overall including 4-4 in SEC play. The Gators would then blow out Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl by a final score of 33-8. DJ Lagway is the man at QB for Florida after showing glimpses in 2024, taking over for the injured Graham Mertz. Jadan Baugh is also back at running back after a solid freshman campaign after rushing for 673 yards and 7 TDs while Ja’Kobi Jackson’s a nice complimentary piece after scoring 7 TDs and logging over five yards per carry. Florida’s receiving corps is somewhat green, but they got a solid transfer in J Michael Sturdivant from UCLA and has a lot of upside. On defense, Tyreak Sapp is back after logging 7 sacks and 13 TFLs while Myles Graham and Grayson Howard are one of the more potent pairs of linebackers in the SEC. 

Why the Florida Gators will win

• Florida has won each of its last nine games against non-FBS teams.
• Florida has covered the spread in each of its last seven games in Florida.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Florida’s last four games against non-conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.

LIU Sharks vs. Florida Gators Prediction

I’m rolling with Florida here. The Sharks are bringing back a decent number of guys throughout the rotation, but the thing is that the Gators are just using this as a tuneup and could easily score 60 points or more in their sleep. It’s a true name your number spot for Florida, and I don’t see LIU contributing much if at all here. I could easily see 63-0 or 62-3 something like that. I’m backing Florida in a beatdown here.