Gators Online Gameday predictions: Florida vs. Eastern Washington

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In the wake of Hurricane Ian, the Florida Gators will play on Sunday when they host the Eastern Washington Eagles. UF made the decision to move the game in an effort to allow the Eagles to travel to Gainesville safely. All tickets issued for Saturday will be honored on Sunday.

The game was originally scheduled to be played on Sept. 5, 2020. The primary storyline at the time of the announcement centered around Jim McElwain, in his second season as UF’s head coach. McElwain played quarterback at Eastern Washington (190-83) and got his start coaching there as a graduate assistant and then quarterbacks/receivers coach.

Here are our predictions from the Gators Online staff.

Gators Online predicts the game

Zach Abolverdi: Through the first four games, Florida has yet to lead by double digits this season. That will change Sunday. The Gators have been in one-score games each week, but they should put this one away by halftime. Anthony Richardson and the offense needs to build on last Saturday’s performance, get a comfortable lead and play some backups. UF will have three new starters on defense, but the unit should settle in against the overmatched Eagles and bounce back from last week’s loss at Tennessee.

Florida, 52-10.

Corey Bender: Although the game is a noon kickoff on a Sunday, I don’t see the Gators coming across many hiccups, if any, against Eastern Washington. Richardson made major strides in last week’s loss in Knoxville and should pick up where he left off. As for the rushing attack, the Gators have a deep room and several of them could find the end zone before the scoreboard reads all zeros. Eastern Washington has given up 618 rushing yards over the past two games, so the Gators could have a field day in that department.

This should be a one-sided affair in favor of the orange and blue.

Florida, 52-10.

Nick de la Torre: This game is finally getting played and it should be an opportunity for Florida to bounce back after a loss. Now, we said that after the USF game and that turned into a dog fight. This week Florida hosts an FCS opponent with a chance to really get right. I want to see Florida play fast and confident this week. I would like to see Florida be balanced on offense with the run and pass. Play fast on defense and put yourself into a position where you can sit and rest your starters.

Florida, 42-7.

Pat O’Donnell: Eastern Washington should be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Gators and head coach Billy Napier. This game will give us a chance to see some underclassmen and what the future holds for UF. After what Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson did in Knoxville, it’s hard to think that Eastern Washington is going to be able to contain him. The Gators will put this one away early, and it will be just what they needed before getting back into the thick of SEC play.

Florida, 41-13.

Donavon Keiser: EWU should be the game that everyone thought USF would be, and the Gators roll. Florida goes with a youth movement across all three phases and delivers a blowout win at home. The Gators use the tune-up game to get right before Missouri and LSU come to The Swamp. 

Florida 45-14.

Tracking our picks

Writer	Overall record	Utah	Kentucky	USF	Tennessee
Corey Bender	3-1	Florida ✅	Florida ❌	Florida ✅	Tennessee ✅
Zach Abolverdi	2-2	Utah ❌	Florida ❌	Florida ✅	Tennessee ✅
Pat O’Donnell	2-2	Florida ✅	Florida ❌	Florida ✅	Florida ❌
Donavon Keiser	1-3	Utah ❌	Florida ❌	Florida ✅	Florida ❌
Nick de la Torre	1-3	Utah ❌	Florida ❌	Florida ✅	Florida ❌