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Official Game Thread Week 1: Florida Gators vs #8 Utah Utes 9/3/2022

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Escambia94

Aerospace Cubicle Engineer (ACE)
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Overview
The Florida Gators kick off the 2022 season by hosting the #8 and 2021 Pac-12 champion Utah Utes here at the Swamp (7:00 ET). The Gators look to erase the memory of a disappointing 6-7 season where they went 2-6 in the SEC. The Gators allowed 26.8 points per game (#74) and managed to score 30.7 points per game (#49). By comparison, the Utes scored 36.1 points per game (#14) while allowing 26.0 (#46). Granted, these statistics were for last year's teams, which bodes well for Kyle Whittingham's squad as they return many of the same players and look to repeat as Pac-12 champions on the strength of their strong running game and disciplined run defense. Based on FPI, the Gators should lose 21-24. As long as the Gators stay healthy, they have the better talent, and theoretically they will apply that talent using more disciplined play under first-year head coach Billy Napier.

Utah has 6 preseason all-conference players: RB Tavion Thomas, TE Brant Kuithe, OL Braeden Daniels, DB Clark Philips, DB Cole Bishop, and DL Van Fillinger. QB Cam Rising was named to preseason second-team All-Pac-12. Florida has 1 preseason all-conference player: OL O'Cyrus Torrence. Florida DL Gervon Dexter abnd DE Brenton Cox were named to the preseason second-team All-SEC, and DB Trey Dean and LB Ventrell Miller were named to the third-team all-conference.


Trenches
The Gators are larger in the trenches by 15 pounds on offense and 10 pounds on defense. The Gator defense has a definite experience advantage, but that may be nullified by the fact they are all playing in new or redefined positions. Both teams are built to run and stop the run.

The Gator offensive line averages 321.4 pounds and 4.2 years experience.

The Ute offensive line averages 306.4 pounds and 3 years experience.

The Gator base defense will likely be 3-4-5. The defensive line averages 285.3 pounds, with the JACK linebacker augmenting. This unit averages 3.7 years of experience, but all of these positions have been redefined for the presumptive starters. The linebackers average 233.3 pounds including the JACK.

The Ute base defense is a 4-3-5 with all the athletes being sophomores or freshmen, with the notable exception of Florida transfer Mohamoud Diabate. The defensive line averages 276 pounds. The linebackers average 226.3 pounds.


Receivers and Secondary
The Gators are more experienced, larger, and more talented at the receiver positions. If Florida can work in transfer Ricky Pearsall off injury, he may be the X-factor. Utah is disciplined on both sides of the ball.

Florida's receivers are large and fast, but will be asked to block more under Napier.

Utah's receivers are rather small compared to their equivalents in the SEC, but they are capable.

Florida's secondary has a long way to go before reclaiming their title as DBU, but Corey Raymond has plenty of talent here to maximize the top-tier talent in this unit.

Utah's secondary is unheralded, but it returns all of its players from a top-20 scoring defense.


Backfield
The Gators have an excellent backfield on paper. The Utes have an excellent backfield that won a conference championship.

Florida has plenty of talent to choose from at running back, with the most talented back likely being the transfer from Louisiana, Montrell Johnson. QB Anthony Richardson has a lot of hype behind him. His playing style has been described as being a QB with the raw skill of Russell Wilson on the body frame of Tim Tebow.

The Utes have one of the best backfields in the nation despite the lack of blue chip attention out of high school or other FBS universities (for the transfers).

Overall
Utah is a 2.5 point favorite and the over/under is 51 points. Despite the FPI prediction of a 21-24 loss, I will go with a 21-14 victory for the Gators. If weather is a factor with a week of monsoon rains, then take the under because it will be hard for the teams to get 51 points in the rain. These teams are relatively even in skill. The visitors are likely more disciplined, but there are signs that Coach Napier has instilled a sense of discipline in this team to match Coach Whittingham's squad. The Utes will certainly need to play disciplined ball in what will be a loud, hostile crowd in a hot and humid (and potentially rainy) night in the Swamp.
 
Last edited:

Escambia94

Aerospace Cubicle Engineer (ACE)
Moderator
Position#Name, ClassHt/ WtHigh School ExpCollege Exp
Offense
WR-X​
4​
Shorter, Justin RS SR/TR​
Ht: 6040 | Wt: 223​
Hometown: Monmouth Junction, NJ | High School: South Brunswick​
Transfer Schools: Penn State​
WR-Z​
3​
Henderson, Xzavier JR​
Ht: 6030 | Wt: 195​
Hometown: Miami, FL | High School: Columbus​
WR-Y​
14​
Whittemore, Trent RS JR​
Ht: 6030 | Wt: 206​
Hometown: Gainesville, FL | High School: Buchholz​
LT​
76​
Gouraige, Richard RS SR​
Ht: 6050 | Wt: 308​
Hometown: Tampa, FL | High School: Cambridge Christian​
LG​
77​
White, Ethan SR​
Ht: 6040 | Wt: 331​
Hometown: Clearwater, FL | High School: Calvary Christian​
OC​
65​
Eguakun, Kingsley RS JR​
Ht: 6030 | Wt: 301​
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL | High School: Sandalwood​
RG​
54​
Torrence, O'Cyrus SR/TR​
Ht: 6050 | Wt: 347​
Hometown: Greensburg, LA | High School: St. Helena Central​
Transfer Schools: Louisiana​
RT​
70​
Tarquin, Michael RS JR​
Ht: 6050 | Wt: 320​
Hometown: Ocala, FL | High School: North Marion​
TE​
9​
Zipperer, Keon SR​
Ht: 6010 | Wt: 246​
Hometown: Lakeland, FL | High School: Lakeland​
QB​
15​
Richardson, Anthony RS SO​
Ht: 6040 | Wt: 232​
Hometown: Gainesville, FL | High School: Eastside​
RB​
2​
Johnson Jr., Montrell SO/TR​
Ht: 5110 | Wt: 218​
Hometown: New Orleans, LA | High School: De La Salle​
Transfer Schools: Louisiana​
Defense
DE​
33​
Umanmielen, Princely JR​
Ht: 6050 | Wt: 245​
Hometown: Manor, TX | High School: Manor​
NT​
92​
Lee, Jalen JR​
Ht: 6020 | Wt: 299​
Hometown: Watson, LA | High School: Live Oak​
DT​
9​
Dexter Sr., Gervon SO​
Ht: 6060 | Wt: 312​
Hometown: Lake Wales, FL | High School: Lake Wales​
JACK​
1​
Cox Jr., Brenton RS SR/TR​
Ht: 6030 | Wt: 252​
Hometown: Stockbridge, GA | High School: Stockbridge​
Transfer Schools: Georgia​
MLB​
51​
Miller, Ventrell RS SR​
Ht: 6000 | Wt: 221​
Hometown: Lakeland, FL | High School: Kathleen​
WLB​
2​
Burney, Amari SR​
Ht: 6020 | Wt: 228​
Hometown: St. Petersburg, FL | High School: Calvary Christian​
FCB​
24​
Helm, Avery RS SO​
Ht: 6010 | Wt: 170​
Hometown: Missouri City, TX | High School: Fort Bend Marshall​
SS​
0​
Dean III, Trey RS SR​
Ht: 6030 | Wt: 207​
Hometown: Hampton, GA | High School: Dutchtown​
FS​
22​
Torrence II, Rashad JR​
Ht: 6000 | Wt: 202​
Hometown: College Park, GA | High School: Marietta​
BCB​
3​
Marshall Jr., Jason RS FR​
Ht: 6010 | Wt: 198​
Hometown: Miami, FL | High School: Miami Palmetto​
NB​
16​
Johnson, Tre'Vez JR​
Ht: 5110 | Wt: 194​
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL | High School: Bartram Trail​
Special Teams
P/ H​
26​
Crawshaw, Jeremy RS SO​
Ht: 6040 | Wt: 198​
Hometown: Emu Plains, NSW, Australia | High School: Prokick Australia​
PK/ KO​
49​
Mihalek, Adam RS FR​
Ht: 6020 | Wt: 193​
Hometown: Tampa, FL | High School: Wiregrass Ranch​
LS​
45​
Ortiz, Marco RS SR​
Ht: 6040 | Wt: 236​
Hometown: Richmond, VA | High School: Benedictine​
PR​
3​
Henderson, Xzavier JR​
KR​
21​
Lingard, Lorenzo RS SR/TR​
Ht: 6000 | Wt: 209​
Hometown: Orange City, FL | High School: University​
Transfer Schools: Miami​
 

Escambia94

Aerospace Cubicle Engineer (ACE)
Moderator
Position#Name, ClassHt/ WtHigh School ExpCollege Exp
Offense
WR-X​
17​
Vele, Devaughn RS SO​
Ht: 6050 | Wt: 205​
Hometown: San Diego, CA | High School: Rancho Bernardo​
WR-Z​
21​
Enis, Solomon SR​
Ht: 6030 | Wt: 206​
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ | High School: North Canyon​
WR-R​
25​
Dixon, Jaylen RS SR​
Ht: 5090 | Wt: 170​
Hometown: Frisco, TX | High School: Lone Star​
LT​
71​
Daniels, Braeden RS JR​
Ht: 6040 | Wt: 297​
Hometown: Carrollton, TX | High School: Hebron​
LG​
78​
Laumea, Sataoa RS SO​
Ht: 6040 | Wt: 308​
Hometown: Rialto, CA | High School: Eisenhower​
OC​
54​
Maile, Paul RS JR​
Ht: 6020 | Wt: 304​
Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT | High School: East​
RG​
51​
Bills, Keaton RS SO​
Ht: 6040 | Wt: 314​
Hometown: Draper, UT | High School: Corner Canyon​
RT​
68​
Kump, Jaren SO​
Ht: 6050 | Wt: 309​
Hometown: Riverton, UT | High School: Herriman​
TE-Y​
86​
Kincaid, Dalton SR/TR​
Ht: 6040 | Wt: 240​
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV | High School: Faith Lutheran​
Transfer Schools: San Diego​
TE-U​
80​
Kuithe, Brant SR​
Ht: 6020 | Wt: 219​
Hometown: Katy, TX | High School: Cinco Ranch​
QB​
7​
Rising, Cameron RS JR/TR​
Ht: 6020 | Wt: 218​
Hometown: Ventura, CA | High School: Newbury Park​
Transfer Schools: Texas​
RB​
9​
Thomas, Tavion JR/TR​
Ht: 6020 | Wt: 238​
Hometown: Dayton, OH | High School: Dunbar​
ransfer Schools: Independence CC / Cincinnati​
Defense
LDE​
83​
Elliss, Jonah SO​
Ht: 6020 | Wt: 241​
Hometown: Moscow, ID | High School: Moscow Senior​
LDT​
58​
Tafuna, Junior SO​
Ht: 6030 | Wt: 300​
Hometown: Taylorsville, UT | High School: Bingham​
RDT​
95​
Vimahi, Aliki SO​
Ht: 6040 | Wt: 307​
Hometown: Kahuku, HI | High School: Kahuku​
RDE​
7​
Fillinger, Van RS SO​
Ht: 6040 | Wt: 256​
Hometown: Draper, UT | High School: Corner Canyon​
ROVER​
21​
Reid, Karene SO​
Ht: 6000 | Wt: 227​
Hometown: American Fork, UT | High School: Timpview​
MAC​
3​
Diabate, Mohamoud SR/TR​
Ht: 6040 | Wt: 222​
Hometown: Auburn, AL | High School: Auburn​
Transfer Schools: Florida​
STUD​
20​
Barton, Lander FR​
Ht: 6040 | Wt: 230​
Hometown: Cottonwood Heights, UT | High School: Brighton​
LCB​
4​
Broughton, JaTravis JR​
Ht: 5110 | Wt: 191​
Hometown: Tulsa, OK | High School: Union​
FS​
11​
Hubert, R.J. SR​
Ht: 6000 | Wt: 198​
Hometown: Logandale, NV | High School: Moapa Valley​
SS​
8​
Bishop, Cole SO​
Ht: 6020 | Wt: 206​
Hometown: Peachtree City, GA | High School: Starr's Mill​
RCB​
1​
Phillips III, Clark SO​
Ht: 5100 | Wt: 183​
Hometown: Lakewood, CA | High School: La Habra​
NB​
15​
Mataele, Malone RS SO​
Ht: 5110 | Wt: 184​
Hometown: Placentia, CA | High School: Santa Margarita Catholic​
Special Teams
PT​
61​
Williams, Michael JR/TR​
Ht: 6000 | Wt: 193​
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ | High School: Shadow Mountain​
Transfer Schools: Arizona State​
PK​
97​
Redding, Jadon JR​
Ht: 5110 | Wt: 194​
Hometown: Fredericksburg, VA | High School: Colonial Forge​
KO​
67​
Noyes, Jordan SO​
Ht: 5100 | Wt: 196​
Hometown: Higham, Kent, England | High School: Gad's Hill​
LS​
57​
Greep, JT SO​
Ht: 6000 | Wt: 225​
Hometown: Glendora, CA | High School: Glendora​
PR​
17​
Vele, Devaughn RS SO​
Ht: 6050 | Wt: 205​
Hometown: San Diego, CA | High School: Rancho Bernardo​
KR​
1​
Phillips III, Clark SO​
Ht: 5100 | Wt: 183​
Hometown: Lakewood, CA | High School: La Habra​
 

Escambia94

Aerospace Cubicle Engineer (ACE)
Moderator
Predictions around the sports world:
- College Football News - Florida 26, Utah 23
- 247 Sports - Utah 30, Florida 27
- Odds Shark - Utah 37.8, Florida 29.2
- Picks and Parlays - Utah 33, Florida 23
- ESPN gives a 52.1% win probability
 

DRU2012

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Predictions around the sports world:
- College Football News - Florida 26, Utah 23
- 247 Sports - Utah 30, Florida 27
- Odds Shark - Utah 37.8, Florida 29.2
- Picks and Parlays - Utah 33, Florida 23
- ESPN gives a 52.1% win probability
Only College Football News has us pulling this one out in the Swamp? Then again, even ESPN only has the favored Utes with a "52.1 % win probability" for this one.
No matter what, I actually PREFER us sold a bit short, maybe underestimated at this point.
All in all, it's a good psychological/emotional position to find ourselves especially in--a young team at home, with something to prove.
Maybe a bit of a collective chip on their shoulders too.
 

DRU2012

Super Moderator
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(...I admit I am quite nervous heading into this game AND season, though.)
 

Escambia94

Aerospace Cubicle Engineer (ACE)
Moderator
Here are the visitors for the Utah game. Note that some of these recruits are repeat visitors from Friday Night Lights.
NameClassRatingFNLVisit
Cormani McClain Lakeland (Lakeland, FL) CB 6-1.5 / 165 0.9992​
2023​
99.92​
07/15/22​
09/02/22​
TJ Capers Edge 6-2 230 99.4898 + 29.49​
2024​
99.49​
09/02/22​
Troy Bowles Jesuit (Tampa, FL) LB 6-1 / 205 0.9797​
2023​
97.97​
09/02/22​
Jaylen Heyward S 5-11.5 180 97.8319 + 27.15​
2024​
97.83​
07/15/22​
09/02/22​
Myles Graham Woodward Academy (Atlanta, GA) LB 6-1 212 97.1193 + 27.12​
2024​
97.12​
07/15/22​
09/02/22​
Kelby Collins Gardendale (Gardendale, AL) DL 6-5 / 280 0.9685​
2023​
96.85​
07/15/22​
09/02/22​
Booker Pickett Jr. Edge 6-3 200 96.8048 + 25.36​
2024​
96.81​
09/02/22​
Aidan Mizell Boone (Orlando, FL) WR 6-2 180 96.5821 + 25.15​
2023​
96.58​
09/02/22​
Bredell Richardson WR 6-1 185 96.2664 + 26.10​
2024​
96.27​
09/02/22​
Dijon Johnson Wharton (Tampa, FL) CB 6-1 190 95.6037 + 25.45​
2023​
95.60​
09/02/22​
Jake Merklinger QB 6-3 185 95.4610 + 25.30​
2024​
95.46​
09/02/22​
Anthony Carrie RB 6-0 185 95.2263 + 24.61​
2024​
95.23​
09/02/22​
Michael Smith TE 6-4 225 94.1367 + 23.55​
2024​
94.14​
09/02/22​
Brayshon Williams S 5-11 173 93.7256 + 17.53​
2024​
93.73​
09/02/22​
Eugene Wilson III Gaither (Tampa, FL) ATH 5-11 / 165 0.9365​
2023​
93.65​
09/02/22​
Tavoy Feagin S 6-0 170 93.7263 + 22.44​
2024​
93.57​
09/02/22​
Fred Gaskin III S 5-10 180 93.5743 + 21.36​
2024​
93.57​
07/15/22​
09/02/22​
Eddy Pierre-Louis DL 6-4 310 93.4175 + 20.07​
2024​
93.42​
09/02/22​
Treyaun Webb Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, FL) RB 6-1 / 205 0.9324​
2023​
93.24​
07/15/22​
09/02/22​
Sharif Denson Bartram Trail (Jacksonville, FL) CB 5-11.5 / 170 0.9204​
2023​
92.04​
07/15/22​
09/02/22​
Jordan Castell West Orange (Winter Garden, FL) S 6-2 / 195 0.9187​
2023​
91.87​
07/15/22​
09/02/22​
Caleb Lomu Highland (Gilbert, AZ) OT 6-5 260 0.9180​
2024​
91.80​
09/02/22​
Ja'Keem Jackson Osceola (Kissimmee, FL) CB 6-1 / 180 0.9117​
2023​
91.17​
09/02/22​
Kamran James Olympia (Orlando, FL) DL 6-6.5 / 265 0.9115​
2023​
91.15​
07/15/22​
09/02/22​
Gavin Hill F. W. Buchholz (Gainesville, FL) DL 6-3 / 255 0.9108​
2023​
91.08​
07/15/22​
09/02/22​
Andy Jean Northwestern (Miami, FL) WR 6-1 / 180 0.9037​
2023​
90.37​
07/15/22​
09/02/22​
Jaden Robinson Columbia (Lake City, FL) LB 6-1 222 89.333​
2023​
89.33​
07/15/22​
09/02/22​
Marcus Stokes Nease (Jacksonville, FL) QB 6-2 185 89.0586 +15.26​
2023​
89.06​
09/02/22​
Jake Guarnera IOL 6-3.5 290 88.6209 + 16.87​
2024​
88.62​
09/02/22​
Creed Whittemore Buchholz (Gainesville, FL) ATH 5-11.5 175 88.3598 + 14.70​
2023​
88.35​
07/15/22​
09/02/22​
Bryce Lovett Rockledge (Rockledge, FL) OT 6-5 330 87.5833 + 12.99​
2023​
87.58​
07/15/22​
09/02/22​
Kendall Jackson DL 6-4 250 87.1852 + 13.76​
2024​
87.19​
07/15/22​
09/02/22​
Antwann Hill QB 6-4 205​
2025​
07/15/22​
09/02/22​
Peyton Joseph IOL 6-4 280​
2025​
09/02/22​
Koby Howard WR 5-10.5 180​
2025​
09/02/22​
Tarvos Alford LB 6-2 195​
2025​
09/02/22​
Tramell Jones Jr. QB 6-1 180​
2025​
07/15/22​
09/02/22​
Vernell Brown III ATH 5-9 155​
2025​
07/15/22​
09/02/22​
Taevion Swint ATH 5-10 175​
2025​
09/02/22​
Brian Green Jr ATH 6-1 181​
2023​
09/02/22​
 

DRU2012

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Starved as I am at this point for college football, I find myself paying a little more attention to these various early games tonight (Thursday, 09/01)...and although the general sloppiness I suppose is to be expected, it is the overall slowness of even supposedly "better regarded" (some even ranked) teams (like Pittsburgh here in their "backyard brawl" vs W. Virginia, for example) that strikes me. The Pac 12 teams don't look any faster, either.
It borders on excruciating...It's been a while since I've paid attention to anything but highlights of games outside the SEC, and I truly believe what I am seeing now is the degree to which everyone else generally suffers by comparison in their play after years of witnessing the pace we take for granted in OUR league.
It will indeed be interesting to see how Utah (so highly regarded) measures up to a supposedly "middle-of-the-pack" SEC team in our Gators.
I don't wanna get ahead of myself--as I've said all along here, I'm not sure just WHAT to expect in our reptiles entering the 2022 season--but wouldn't it be a hilariously great result (not to mention a smack-to-the-heads of all the so-called "media experts") if Napier's charges were to come out and just run circles around the Utes?
Mind you, I'm mostly merely hoping for a poised performance--and ANY kind of WIN would of course be welcome and greatly appreciated.
But in my heart of hearts, well, we are being sold so short outside of Gainesville, it seems, that a secret part of me longs for more.
How the narrative would change.
 

DRU2012

Super Moderator
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Having woken up late today (Saturday, Week 1), I've been skipping around and finally more or less settled on the CBS early round-up of this week's games so far.
Just before switching to the West Coast game at San Diego State's new "SnapDragon Stadium", amidst all the fluff they shared a rather surprising graphic showing the handful of teams favored in ALL their games this year--which included the UTES, it turns out.
OK. Let's bust THAT one up real quick!
 

DRU2012

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Anyone know the weather and field conditions that look to be operative in G-ville tonight?
Naturally, it would SEEM that "hot'n'humid" would be likeliest--AND favorable to us, up to a point...full-on "monsoon-conditions" on the other hand would only tend to be more of an "equilizer", I'm afraid.
 

DRU2012

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(ESPN still with the Cincinnati at Arkansas game ahead of the 7:10 pm Eastern kickoff in the Swamp.)
 

DRU2012

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Watching over on ESPN News...Been raining there for a few hours--but let up before kickoff.
Swamp is rocking tonight!
 

DRU2012

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Aw FUCK!
We were driving-'-then big fumble and they flip the field.
DAMN! Same old Gators?
 

DRU2012

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I don't know if I can watch this.
We start with this nice drive but fume it away deep in their end...they are inside our 10 suddenly, and it looks Ike they'll score.
 

DRU2012

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Shit.
Worst case scenario.
I'll stay to see if we respond--but if NOT, and right away, I will have to bail.
 

DRU2012

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Over on ESPN now.
We just GOTTA get it going again RIGHT NOW.
Get a drive going and this time make it STICK.
 

DRU2012

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I mean, we have to KNOW we SHOULD be UP 7 points now...Instead, down 7 and angry at ourselves, it might be hard for this young team not to press. Somehow Billy has to get his young men to calm down, reestablishing what they had in their opening series (pre-fumble) if they can...
Only I would consider trying to strike long if they have something set up here.
 

DRU2012

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Too many mistakes. Another big penalty that would have taken away the long TD they almost hit anyway. This is frustrating.
But Anthony does look good--if still a little inexperienced.
 
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