College Football Week One Preview of No. 7 Utah vs. Florida

GAINESVILLE, FL- After enduring a disappointing 2021-2022 season capped off by a 6-7 overall (2-6 SEC) record, the Florida Gators look to return to the top of the Southeastern Conference for the 2022-2023 season. This task will not be easy for the Gators, as they begin the 2022-2023 college football season in a highly-anticipated matchup against the No. 7 Utah Utes. Led by dual-threat Quarterback Cameron Rising and explosive Running Back Tavion Thomas, Utah will look to repeat as Pac 12 Champions after finishing the 2021-2022 season with a 10-4 record and a Rose Bowl appearance. Meanwhile, recently hired Head Coach Billy Napier will attempt to revitalize the Gators’ Football Program, with the help of Star Quarterback Anthony Richardson and Linebacker Brenton Cox.

Preview of Florida’s 2022-2023 Offense and Defense

After watching Emory Jones transfer to Arizona State, Napier decided to name Richardson the starting quarterback for the 2022-2023 season. Despite splitting playing time with Jones last season, Richardson showed flashes of stardom, throwing for 529 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions, while completing 59.4% of his passes and posting a 144.1 Passer Rating. In addition, Richardson recorded 401 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 51 rushes. After Florida lost Running Backs Dameon Pierce (NFL Draft) and Malik Davis (NFL Draft), along with Wide Receiver Jacob Copeland (Transferred to Maryland) and Tight End Kemore Gamble (Transferred to Central Florida), Napier knew the Gators needed offensive reinforcements to support Richardson. Throughout the offseason, Napier managed to add Louisiana Running back Montrell Johnson (838 yards, 12 touchdowns), Arizona State Wide Receiver Ricky Pearsall (580 yards, four touchdowns), Lousiana Guard O’Cyrus Torrence, and Lousiana Tackle Kamryn Waites all through the Transfer Portal.

Fortunately for Napier and the Gators, Florida’s defense retained the majority of their starters for the upcoming season. Led by Star Pass-Rusher Brenton Cox, Florida will field another strong defense, even without former Defensive Coordinator Todd Grantham. As Florida’s top pass rusher, Cox didn’t disappoint, recording 41 Total Tackles and 8.5 Sacks, both career highs for the 6’3″, 252-pound linebacker. In addition to Cox, Dexter was great in the trenches, recording 50 Total Tackles and 2.5 Sacks, while Middle Linebacker Ventrell Miller and Outside Lineback David Reese round out the front seven. Despite losing 2022 first-round pick Kaiir Elam to the NFL, Georgia Transfer Jalen Kimber and Safety Trey Dean will likely fill in Elam’s absence.

Preview of Utah’s 2022-2023 Offense and Defense

As previously mentioned, the Utes had a great 2021-2022 season, capped off by the program’s first Rose Bowl appearance. The main catalyst behind Utah’s success was Rising, who transformed the Utes’ offense after taking over the Quarterback job in Week Three. After earning the starting job, Rising threw for 2,493 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and just five interceptions, while completing 63.8% of his passes and posting a 146.7 Passer Rating. In addition to this, Rising’s rushing ability added a new dimension to Utah’s offense, as Rising ran for 499 yards and six touchdowns. Rising’s dual-threat play paired well with Thomas, who notched 204 rushing attempts, 1,108 rushing yards, and 21 touchdowns. Alongside Thomas, Utah also has Sophomore Micah Bernard, who added 523 yards and two touchdowns on 87 rushing attempts. Needless to say, Utah boasts one of the Nation’s top rushing attacks, as shown by their average of 36.3 points per game.

Similar to their offense, Utah also fields a strong defense. Throughout the 2021-2022 season, Utah allowed just 20.6 points per game, ranking 24th in the nation. This was largely attributed to the fantastic play of star linebacker Devin Lloyd. During the 2021-2022 season, Lloyd notched an impressive 66 Solo Tackles, 111 Total Tackles, Eight Sacks, Six Passes Defended, and Four Interceptions, helping solidify Utah’s defense. Unfortunately for the Utes, Lloyd is now in the NFL after being drafted with the No. 27 pick in the 2022 Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. While the loss of Lloyd will certainly hurt Utah, the Utes still have a formidable defense, led by Cornerback Clark Phillips III (13 Passes Defended, One Interception) and Safety Cole Bishop (35 Tackles, Five Passes Defended), along with Florida Transfer Mohamoud Diabate.

Game and Betting Information for No. 7 Utah vs. Florida

Game Information

• Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
  Date: Saturday, September 3rd, 2022
• Kick-Off Time: 7:00 P.M. ET
• TV: ESPN
• Game Spread: -2.5 Utah,
• Point Total Over/Under: 51
• Moneyline: Utah -140, Florida +120
• Football Power Index (FPI): Favors Florida at 52.1%

Betting Information

• The Gators are 0-7 ATS in their last seven games overall.
• The Utes are 1-6 ATS in their last seven non-conference games.
• The Utes are 1-10 ATS in their last 11 games in September.
• The over is 12-5 in the Utes’ last 17 games overall.
• The under is 5-1 in the Gators’ last six home games.

Ten Facts to Know for No. 7 Utah vs. Florida

• Florida has won 32 straight season-opening home games since 1990, the longest active streak in the Nation
• Florida’s Richardson ranked ninth among FBS passers with 57.3 rushing yards per game (RYPG) and his 7.9 yards per completion (YPC) ranked fourth.
• Florida ranked fourth in the Nation with 5.5 yards per rush (YPR) last season.
• Florida was one of four Power Five teams to average over 460 yards per game and 200 rushing yards per game.
• Florida allowed just 14 sacks throughout the 2021-2022 season, the fifth-fewest in the nation.
• Utah was one of three FBS teams with three RBs who had 450+ yards (T. Thomas with 1,108, T.J. Pledger with 694, and M. Bernard with 523).
• Utah ranked No. 8 in college football in third down conversions and seventh in first down offense.
• 32 of Utah’s 61 offensive TDs (52%) came on drives that were 70 yards or longer.
• Utah’s Offensive line ranked fourth in the nation, allowing 0.93 sacks per game and 13 sacks total.
• Utah scored over 30 points in 11 of 14 games last season, including 35+ point games in eight of its last nine games.

Check out our YouTube video from Zack Milliron, who goes over keys to the game and how the Gators can start 1-0 on the season- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DM7N7wK9zbo