September 3, 2022. The Swamp Is Lit Again. This Is One To Enjoy. For now. And Then There's Kentucky.

Chris Spears Photo

Anyone who underestimates Kentucky at this point is a fool, and beating the Wildcats may have just become a little bit tougher with the Utah victory. Richardson and Miller won't.

By CARLTON REESE

GatorBaitMedia.com Columnist

With Florida having tied seventh-ranked Utah at 7-7 in the first quarter, I prepared myself to accept what would be a moral victory for the Gators. They looked pretty good, but Utah was eventually going to take control with its superior depth and experience, and it would be an encouraging sign for Florida, knowing that although it lost the game it did make a good account of itself and fans should be optimistic.

What happened, I did not see coming, and that had everything to do with the opponent on Saturday night in the Swamp and not the potential of the players clad in blue.

Let’s examine who Florida beat on opening weekend: Utah is a veteran team with one of the game’s best coaches. Utah’s quarterback is not good – he is great -- and he showed the world such against the Gators.

Utah has one of the country’s elite receivers in tight end Brant Kuithe and he showed the world such against the Gators. Utes running back Tavion Thomas could win the Doak Walker award this season and he showed the world such against the Gators.

Utah will be favored in every game it plays from here on out, meaning the Utes running the table is more likely than not. To go 11-1 and win the Pac-12 with your only loss coming at the buzzer in week one on the road to the Florida Gators might be good enough to earn a spot in the national playoff.

That’s who Florida beat Saturday night and don’t let any of the internet trolls tell you otherwise – this was a great team that went down in Gainesville.

It’s another reason why this smells like 1982, does it not? In my gut, I do not think Florida is as good as Utah right now, but the advantage of the home crowd and the emotion of the night carried the Gators along with a talent at the QB position that has caught the attention of the world. In other words, the Gators showed last year’s record was an illusion and that they will be a force in the SEC East this year. But let’s slow down, shall we?

I remember 1982 when Charley Pell was in his third year as head coach at Florida, and after a thrilling win over Miami in the opener the Gators pulled off one of the most memorable wins in history when they buried Southern Cal. You remember the scene: Pell charging off the field, arms flailing like a schoolboy. The team soared to a No.4 national ranking and fans crowed about this being the year UF wins the SEC and plays in the Sugar Bowl for possibly a national title. What many people forget is how two weeks later a fairly unheralded LSU team came to Gainesville and whipped the Gators. A week after that Florida was humiliated in a loss at Vanderbilt and fell out of the rankings.

Point is, I hope this does not turn in to 1982. It should not – not if everything we’ve been told about new coach Billy Napier is true. We’re told – and all indications so far is that this is true – that Napier runs a tight ship, is laser-focused on the task ahead and the long-term success of his program. This team will celebrate for a night then turn to Kentucky, which presents another huge challenge, among them a post-Utah letdown, or hangover.

For fans, none of this matters; all that matters is Florida beat Utah and showed it is ready take down Georgia and Alabama. We’re back, baby!

The game was in Richardson's hands -- and he delivered. (Chris Spears photo)

For me, what took place Saturday night was encouraging, but not an unveiling of the country’s next dominant force to reside with Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and Clemson. Florida may become that force, I have no doubt, but this season will be a slog for which fans had better prepare themselves.

Anyone who underestimates Kentucky at this point is a fool, and beating the Wildcats may have just become a little bit tougher with the Utah victory.

In three weeks, the Gators travel to Knoxville and will face a Tennessee team that in no way resembles those of the past 15 years. LSU comes to town and that should scare everyone no matter the Tigers’ record and then there’s Georgia which needs no introduction.

Visiting Texas A&M will be no picnic and it’s anybody’s guess right now what kind of team FSU will put on the field for a Friday night tilt against the Gators in Tallahassee.

It’s a long road ahead and there will be losses, injuries, mistakes and setbacks to make fans forget the glorious evening we just experienced. That’s why it’s nice to enjoy this one and relish in the fact that Florida is now back to being part of the national college football conversation the way it was two years ago.

In Napier, Florida likely has the right man for the job. He is the right temperament at the right time and with this new $85 million football facility he may turn in to the right recruiter as well. But all this translates into tomorrow, not today.

Today is about celebrating what took place Saturday night and not counting all the victories that we think lie ahead. Today is about enjoying the moment while Napier and his club turn to tomorrow.

What a shame it would be if this turned into 1982 when we are all starry-eyed with visions of 2006 dancing in our heads. The reality will be somewhere in between, I believe. Those now making reservations for Atlanta are going to miss out on a fun ride, one to be enjoyed one week at a time.

Today I celebrate. Tomorrow, I make plans for Kentucky. Beyond that, time does not exist. I am going to enjoy this ride as it happens, thank you.