How in the world are the Florida Gators favored in this game this weekend against the Ole Miss Rebels? Well, it might not be as big of a surprise as you’d think.

The Ole Miss Rebels travel into the Swamp to face the Florida Gators on Saturday, and despite what the rankings say, I agree with the line. I’m picking Florida to win this game at home, and I’m stamping that. But, let’s actually break it down.

Ole Miss is walking into a trap going into the Swamp

Ole Miss is coming off of their Super Bowl riding high after beating LSU last weekend. And rightfully so. That was an incredible ball game, a 10 out of 10 night performance in Oxford, Mississippi, that no one will forget. Now they have to walk into the Swamp. That kind of emotional high is one of the hardest things to follow up in college football, and I think it catches up to Ole Miss in a big way.

I believe we get a better performance from the Florida defense while we get a worse performance from the Ole Miss defense against the Gators’ offense. Buster Faulkner and this Florida team with the best running back in the entire country are going to truly test this Ole Miss defense like we haven’t seen before.

And you may say, ‘oh they just played Lane Kiffin, they’ve already been tested.’ That’s a defense that knows Lane’s offense. We’re talking about a completely different system that wants to punch you in the face time and time again. Florida’s physicality in the run game is going to present an entirely different challenge from what Ole Miss just saw in its own backyard.

Trinidad Chambliss is the X-factor, but Florida’s defense has the answer

Of course, it is so difficult fading quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who should be viewed as the Heisman favorite. But I trust that this Florida defense and Jon Sumrall are going to make this Ole Miss offense one-dimensional. If the Gators can take away the big play and force the Rebels into extended drives, the pressure shifts entirely onto Chambliss to be Superman on every single snap.

And if I’m wrong and Trinidad Chambliss once again is just Superman and he’s able to make every single play on the field to have them win this football game, and more than likely without Kewan Lacy, then I’ll admit that I’m wrong. Hell, I’ll even go get a clown nose like Josh Pate and admit that I’m wrong because I’ve picked Ole Miss so many times to lose and I’ve been wrong so many times. But I’m willing to do it again.

I think we’re going to get an statement on Saturday that Florida is way ahead of schedule. This is their moment to come in and beat a Top-5 team in the country. The Swamp under the lights with a chance to knock off a College Football Playoff contender is exactly the kind of environment where Florida plays its best football. I’m picking Florida to win, and I am stamping that.