The Florida Gators are set to face off against No.14 Utah in their third-ever meeting with the Utes during week one of the 2023 season. In 2022, Billy Napier started off his inaugural season with a bang, upsetting No.7 Utah 29-26 behind a game sealing interception by LB Amari Burney. The Gators are looking for the same result in Salt Lake City one year later.
Gator Country provides five keys to victory for the Gators on Thursday night.
1. WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE
The team that wins the turnover battle wins 75% of the time. This is a statistic that Head Coach Billy Napier and his staff have preached to the 2023 Gators and should be considered a key to victory week in and week out.
Florida was great in this area a year ago, despite finishing with a record of 6-7. The Gators finished tied for second in the SEC in takeaways (22) and ranked second in turnover margin (+8 / +.62 per game). The Gators ranked 19th nationally in turnover margin per game in 2022. This was major improvement from the 2021 season where the Orange and Blue ranked 11th in takeaways and 13th in turnover margin in the SEC.
2. GIVE MERTZ TIME / PASS PROTECTION
Giving Florida’s starting quarterback Graham Mertz time in the pocket is crucial in beating Utah on Thursday night.
Florida lost four starters from their 2022 offensive line (Torrence, White, Gouraige, Tarquin) which allowed 17 sacks last season, tied for the 27th-fewest in the Power Five and fourth in the SEC. It’s important to note that having the extremely athletic Anthony Richardson under center certainly helped the Gators in that statistic.
Mertz has been sacked 49 times in his career, including a whopping 23 times in 2022 with the Badgers. The Gators need to give Mertz time in the pocket, allowing him to get the ball in the hands of Florida’s speedy playmakers.
3. GET PRESSURE ON RISING
It’s unclear whether Utah’s veteran quarterback Cam Rising is going to suit up against the Gators, but this key remains critical no matter who leads the huddle for the Utes on Thursday night.
While Rising is questionable to play and likely a game-time decision, he hasn’t been cleared to play, therefore has been extremely limited in fall camp. After having surgery on a torn ACL just eight months ago, it’s very likely Rising will not be 100% even if he does get cleared to play. Florida needs to attack Utah’s offensive line and attempt to get to Rising, as I would be hard-pressed to believe he would be his normal silky-smooth self under pressure.
Whether it’s Rising or the inexperienced Bryson Barnes at quarterback, who has made just one start in his career, the Gators need to get after the signal caller and make him uncomfortable in the pocket.
Rising is listed as the starting quarterback on Utah’s depth chart.
4. CONTROL BRANT KUITHE
Utah’s tight end Brant Kuithe torched the Gators’ defense a year ago, catching nine passes for 105 yards and a touchdown, including a long of 37 yards. Billy Napier said this game will come down to individual matchups, and this is certainly one that I am circling leading up to the game.
The Gators struggled to cover tight ends for most of the 2022 season, but with defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong in town and new personnel in the linebacker unit, I believe the Gators can make this matchup much harder for the 6-2, 229-pound Texas native.
One player you could see match up with Kuithe is linebacker transfer Mannie Nunnery, who possess the athletic ability and coverage skills to hang with the senior tight end.
It’s important to note that Kuithe is also working his way back from an ACL tear in 2022 but is listed as a starter on Utah’s depth chart leading up to week one.
5. MAKE A PLAY ON SPECIAL TEAMS
The Gators earned a Special Teams grade of 70.2 in 2022, which ranked tied for 95th amongst FBS teams, according to Pro Football Focus.
In a game where Florida is currently seven-point underdogs, a big play on Special Teams could be just what the Gators need to put them on top in Salt Lake City. Florida has the athletes in place to make a difference after the addition of several talented freshmen and some new roles for returning players.
Whether it’s a big punt return, a blocked field goal, or simply efficient Special Teams play across the board, Florida will need their Special Teams unit to show up in what’s expected to be a close game against the No.14 ranked Utah Utes.