LOREN MEADOWS: Scouting Report on Florida-Utah Matchup. Where Do The Gators Have An Edge? If Any?
Updated: Sep 2, 2022
"When it comes down to it, the Utah Utes have flourished playing the style of football that Billy Napier and staff want to play at Florida. A balanced offensive attack with a physical running game and a sound physical defense that limits the opponent’s possessions. This is not a contrast in styles -- it's southpaw against southpaw."
A long time ago, Utah came to UF before it was even called "The Swamp." This is a different time and different team. The Utes are favorites over Billy Napier's squad. (Courtesy UAA)
By LOREN MEADOWS
GatorBaitMedia.com Football Analyst
Week 1 is upon us. Saturday night the Florida Gators will welcome the defending Pac-12 Champion Utah Utes to Ben Hill Griffin for one of the most intriguing games of college football’s second weekend. The Florida Gators led by Billy Napier in his first game as Florida’s head coach will look to slow down one of the nation’s most underrated but physical football teams.
To put it plainly, Utah is pretty good. The term “buckle up” comes to mind when you line up against the Utes. Utah is known for playing an extremely physical brand of football and as one opposing coach states, “they have cornered the market on what physical football looks like.” Utah will enter this game with at least five legitimate NFL prospects on offense with another four on defense.
The Gators will counter with a new offensive scheme led by one of the nation's most exciting enigmas in Anthony Richardson. On defense Florida will look to confuse a re-tooled but physical offensive line that is more grit than size. Utah is the better team, but The Swamp should be hot, humid, and electric by game time. Is the venue Florida’s only edge? There may be more.
Utah Offense: The Utah offense returns eight starters including top rusher Tavion Thomas (#9, 6-2, 238). The Dayton, Ohio native ignored calls from the NFL in order to return for his junior season. A former Cincinnati Bearcat, Thomas was a three-sport athlete who has played meaningful snaps at two quality programs. With 21 touchdowns in 2021 Thomas will be at the heart of a rushing attack that was 1st in the Pac-12 and 13th nationally.
To balance the attack the Utes will turn to Junior Cameron Rising (#7, 6-2, 220) who was 9-2 as starter in 2021. Utah returns their top six pass catchers from last season including possibly the best tight end tandem west of the Mississippi. Brandon Kuithe (#80, 6-2, 222), and Dalton Kincaid (#86, 6-4, 248) combined for 86 catches and 14 touchdowns in 2021. Both tight ends are solid inline blockers with Kuithe specializing in the ability to play multiple spots at the receiver position. On the outside Devaughn Vale (#17, 6-5, 205) is the top target for Rising. Up front the Utah offensive line has been slightly retooled with All-Pac 12 tackle Braeden Daniels (#71, 6-4, 297) moving from right tackle to the left side. Jaren Kump (#68, 6-5, 309) returns from injury to start at right tackle.
With all of their strengths on offense, could the Achilles heel of the Utah offense be the shuffling of their offensive line?
With new full-time starters at four of the five positions could a rejuvenated Brenton Cox Jr., and Gervon Dexter feast on this unit on passing downs? Florida will have to be stout on running downs to put the Utes in obvious passing downs to allow their pass rushers from every level to be successful.
Utah Defense: The Utah defense lost two of its best linebackers to the NFL last season. As a replacement a familiar face will return to The Swamp on Saturday. Mohamoud Diabate (#3, 6-4, 222) will man the middle for the Utah defense. Diabate, who stated that his return to Gainesville will be like “going to his ex-wife’s house” will be looking to make his mark in this game early and often.
Defensive physicality has been the hallmark of Kyle Whittingham’s teams for his 18-year tenure at Utah, particularly on the defensive line. The defensive line will be anchored inside and outside by Junior Tafuna (#58, 6-3, 300), and Van Fillinger (#7, 6-4, 256). Last season both were part of a physical defensive front that was 19th nationally against the run and led the Pac-12. In addition to Diabate, highly recruited freshman Lander Barton (#20, 6-4, 230) will man the other inside backer position. In the secondary, sophomore Clark Phillips III (#1, 5-10, 183) is possibly the best cover corner in the Pac-12. At safety, the trio of Cole Bishop (#8, 6-2, 206), R.J. Hubert (#11, 6-0, 198), and Illinois State transfer Clayton Isbell (#17, 6-2, 210) is one of the best in the country.
In 2021, the Utah defense ranked 40th nationally in total defense. However, they finished 84th nationally against the pass. While the defense is always physical, the defensive line averages 274 pounds in the two-deep compared to an average of 331 pounds in the prospective top eight offensive lineman for the Gators. In addition, Diabate struggled playing the run at Florida and Lander Barton for all his talents will be making his first start in what is one of college football’s most hostile environments. Could the size of the Gator offensive line pay dividends after two hours of leaning on the much smaller Utah front? When Florida elects to throw a Utah secondary that has struggled at times to make plays will be vertically challenged with the Florida receivers averaging three inches taller than the Utah secondary.
The Skinny: When it comes down to it, the Utah Utes have flourished playing the style of football that Billy Napier and staff want to play at Florida. A balanced offensive attack with a strong running game and a sound defense that limits the opponent’s possessions. This is not a contrast in styles -- it's southpaw against southpaw. Utah is the more experienced fighter.
Which team flinches first will be key. The atmosphere of The Swamp should play a role with a raucous crowd and 90 percent humidity making life difficult for the Utes. Richardson, who Whittingham has stated Utah will account for in “virtually everything we do,” will put immense pressure on the Utah defense in the run game and off-schedule plays. The Florida defense will be sound and pressure Cam Rising to register three to four sacks. Richardson runs for one and passes for one. However, a late Tavion Thomas run seals it for the Utah Utes and they escape The Swamp with a close win
Prediction-Utah 28 Florida 23
“When it comes down two it”? Really?