Key Matchups That Will Decide Florida vs. Utah

Photo: Princely Umanmielen; Credit: Zach Goodall

Year two of the Billy Napier era is about to get underway, and just like year one, it starts with the unranked Gators taking on a top-15 and reigning Pac-12 champion Utah Utes team.

But, this year's matchup is different.

Both teams will have different quarterbacks, and the Gators will have plenty of new faces on both sides of the ball after extensive roster attrition.

Here are three key matchups between Florida and Utah to watch on Thursday night. Kickoff from Rice-Eccles Stadium is at 8 p.m. ET/6 p.m. MT.

New-look Florida defense vs. QB Bryson Barnes

There will be new faces all over when Florida's defense takes the field, including for Utah. Without quarterback Cameron Rising, the Utes are expected to turn to junior backup Bryson Barnes, who only has one start under his belt. Despite his inexperience, Barnes has shined in the biggest moments.

When Rising went down with injuries during the Utes' last two Rose Bowl appearances, Barnes kept the games close with a touchdown pass in each appearance. In the first start of his career last season, Barnes threw for 175 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions in a 21-17 win over Washington State. Barnes may be inexperienced, but he can still be deadly.

However, he may be without star tight end Brant Kuithe.

That all being said, Barnes will face a brand-new Gator defense led by coordinator Austin Armstrong. Only one starter from last season's matchup remains as a starter on the Gators' depth chart: Jason Marshall Jr.

Still, the young talent that returns from last season — namely Shemar James at linebacker, Chris McClellan at defensive end, Devin Moore at corner and Miguel Mitchell at safety — combined with a plethora of transfer additions should make the defense stronger.

Florida's 2022 defense struggled to contain Rising, both in the passing game in running game. Can the new 2023 defense contain Barnes?

QB Graham Mertz vs. Utah's secondary

There's no question that this is a make-or-break year for the former Wisconsin quarterback, and he'll face a top-15 team to start.

Florida doesn't need Mertz to be a Heisman-caliber quarterback to have success, especially against Utah. Last season, Anthony Richardson only threw for 168 yards and no touchdowns, but a 70% completion percentage and no turnovers kept the game close and allowed the run game to flourish.

If Mertz can put up similar numbers in the passing game while the offense relies on the Bayou backfield of Montrell Johnson and Trevor Etienne, Florida will have a great opportunity to pull out a win.

Florida's defensive line vs. Utah's offensive line

Napier and company answered the call after a lack of depth on the defensive line hurt the Gators last season, with two crucial transfer additions and two more key contributors returning.

Memphis transfer Cam'Ron Jackson will start at nose with youngsters Caleb Banks and McClellan on the end. Desmond Watson will also be a force in the rotation. There's also experience outside with Princely Umanmielen and Tyreak Sapp with talented youth behind them. This is depth Florida simply did not have last season.

Meanwhile, the Utes will have a true freshman starting at left tackle, former four-star Spencer Fano, and a center with only three career starts, senior Johnny Maea. The rest of the line is experienced, but if the reinforced Gator defensive trenches can continuously rotate without a drop-off in production, it'll go a long way into pressuring Barnes in his second career start.

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