It's finally here—college football is back. And to begin the season—excluding Week 0 matchups—on Thursday night, we'll get a much-anticipated rematch from one of last year's best games that opened the season. The Utah Utes football team had to make their long flight down to Gainesville last season, playing in the dreaded Swamp. The effects of an electric SEC atmosphere seemed apparent after Utes' quarterback Cameron Rising threw a late pick in the endzone to end the game, giving the Florida Gators football team a 29-26 victory. This year, the Gators make the long trek to Salt Lake City. Can the Gators beat the Utes again? Let's make some bold predictions for this Week 1 matchup.

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4. Graham Mertz throws for under 250 yards

Graham Mertz, coming from Wisconsin, will look to fulfill a role much like he had with the Badgers—playing the part of a game manager type of quarterback. Mertz was more than serviceable while at Wisconsin, but he was certainly nothing to brag about. Billy Napier is trying to replace one of the top picks in this year's NFL Draft, Anthony Richardson, who was a big part of this game last year. Even with Richardson having his own issues last season, Mertz isn't exactly a great replacement.

Mertz will be going up against a Utes' defense that allowed just over 236 yards a game against opposing offenses, per Team Rankings. Meanwhile, Mertz only has one game over 250 yards in his entire career. Expect much of the same from him on Thursday night.

3. Improved Gators defense, Cameron Rising absence keeps game closer

The big question mark entering this game is whether Cameron Rising would be able to play after he tore his ACL in last year's Rose Bowl game. Well, he is now being listed as doubtful, according to Pete Thamel at ESPN. Now the quarterback duties will be left up to junior Bryson Barnes and redshirt freshman Nate Johnson.  During fall camp it was said that Barnes was the clear No. 2 but Johnson since made it a neck and neck competition. Both are now said to get playing time with Johnson being a “change of pace quarterback.” Johnson is said the be the heir apparent to Rising once he graduates.

The Gators will have to hope that new defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong, along with some transfer portal help, will be able to contain these two different style of quarterbacks that they may not have been truly prepared for. It seems like the Utes will be trying to throw off the Gators defense by interchanging the quarterbacks, which actually might bode well for Florida, as it leaves Utah with tons of uncertainty at the most important position on the field.

2. Rice-Eccles Stadium will prove to be a challenging environment for Florida football

No one probably talks about it enough, but Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, the home of the Utah Utes football team, is one of the more challenging places to play in the country. Back in 2021, it was ranked as one of the top 30 loudest college football stadiums in the country. Add in a highly enthusiastic student section coupled with the fact that it is situated 4,600 feet above sea level, and this can make it challenging for a team from the Southeast. Utah also hasn't lost their last 12 games at home. The last time they lost was to USC on November 21 in 2020, the pandemic-shortened season. This is not going to be easy for the Gators.

1. Florida loses to Utah

I'm going against my bold predictions piece for Florida football when I said they would beat Utah. I no longer feel comfortable making that prediction. However, I did say that if Rising played, that could change everything. The closer this game gets, the more it seems like a Utes win, even with Rising's absence. But overall, Utah football has stability, good coaching, and talent close enough to the Gators that they can beat them. Being at home is also a big deal for the Utes, where they hardly ever lose. Utah gets their revenge on Thursday night.