Florida vs. Utah Prediction, Pick, Odds: Is QB Graham Mertz The Answer at Florida?
Florida and Utah open up their 2023 NCAAF seasons on Thursday. Is Quarterback Graham Mertz the answer at Florida? Jason Radowitz shares his prediction, pick, and the odds ahead of the game.
Jason Radowitz - August 28, 2023, 9:16 AM EDT
5 minFlorida vs. Utah Prediction, Pick, Odds: Is QB Graham Mertz The Answer at Florida?
The Florida Gators watched former quarterback Anthony Richardson get drafted fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts.
You'd think Florida had some successful years under Richardson at quarterback. But that wasn't the case. The Gators finished 6-7 overall and 3-5 in the SEC last season.
It was Billy Napier's first season as head coach of the Gators. He's had significant success throughout his career. But there's a lot of growth needed for Florida to compete in the SEC again.
The Gators will take on a Utah Utes squad that has won back-to-back Pac-12 Championships. The Utes aren't always talked about as a powerhouse team in college football. They're sometimes forgotten, especially by the East Coast.
But Utah is out to shock the world one more time. This time, they're hoping to make the NCAA College Football Playoff.
Utah finished 10-4 last season but went 7-2 in the Pac-12 and defeated USC in the Pac-12 Championship game. This will be a solid test for Utah to begin the season.
Here are our picks, predictions, and odds for Thursday's game between the Florida Gators vs. Utah Utes.
Florida vs. Utah Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds
- Date: August 31, 2023
- Game Time: 8:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN
Florida vs. Utah Odds
- Spread: Florida +6.5 (-105), Utah -6.5 (-112)
- Total Odds: O/U 45.5 (-110)
- Moneyline Odds: Florida (+230), Utah (-265)
Florida vs. Utah Injury Report
Florida
Questionable: WR Ricky Pearsall (Illness), TE Dane Zanders (Lower Body), TE Keon Zipperer (Knee)
Out: RB Cameron Carroll (Knee), OL Caden Jones (Foot), DL Justus Boone (Knee)
Utah
Questionable: QB Brandon Rose (Undisclosed)
Florida Gators vs. Utah Utes Prediction
The Florida Gators went after Graham Mertz in the transfer portal. The veteran quarterback threw for 2,136 yards and 19 touchdowns with Wisconsin last season. That was his first season with over 2,000 yards. But his completion percentage dipped to 57.3% in 2022.
Mertz once looked like the guy at Wisconsin. But he quickly faded and now has a new home. He's thrown ten or more interceptions in his last two seasons and was sacked 23 times last year.
Mertz has better receivers at Florida, especially with Ricky Pearsall still around. Pearsall is dealing with an illness, which could affect his status. I'd imagine he plays, but that's something to consider.
Meanwhile, Florida has three reliable running backs, including a transfer in former Louisiana Ragin' Cajun, Montrell Johnson. Behind him will be Trevor Etienne, and then the third running back will be Cam Carroll from Tulane.
On the other hand, Utah says Cameron Rising is healthy enough to start the season. He suffered a torn ACL in the Rose Bowl last year, and it won't be easy to come back against a team like Florida.
This is no cupcake for opening week.
Over the past two seasons. Rising has thrown for over 5,500 yards and has completed nearly 50 touchdowns. He's also rushed for almost 1,000 yards and has 12 more rushing touchdowns.
Rising has plenty of great targets, including Grant Kuithe, who led the team in receptions in 2021. He didn't play last year due to an injury. But he'll be a significant asset for this team in 2023.
Meanwhile, Florida's defense didn't do much last year. They couldn't get off on third downs and rarely stopped the run. However, this year, the secondary looks weaker than the rest of the defense.
Florida lost its last three games last season, including a 30-3 loss to Oregon State. Jack Miller III played in that game, not Richardson. But let's not underestimate the top of the Pac-12.
Take Utah -6.5.
Florida Gators vs. Utah Utes Pick
- Utah -6.5 -110 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick
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