A pair of Power Five programs open up their 2022 campaigns as the Pac-12 clashes with the SEC on the gridiron down in the swamp. The #7 Utah Utes are on the road as they make the trip to face the Florida Gators Saturday night. Utah finished the 2021 season with a 10-4 record overall: they were 9-1 in the Pac-12 and won the conference title. Their season ended with a crazy 48-45 loss to then-#7 Ohio State in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. Florida struggled to a 6-7 season last year, including 2-6 in the SEC. Their season ended with a 29-17 loss to UCF in the Gasparilla Bowl. The Gators won the only previous meeting between the teams, taking a 38-29 victory at home back on November 19, 1977.
Utah started the year 1-2 before Charlie Brewer left the program in 2021. Once Cameron Rising took over, the Utes caught fire, winning nine of their next 10 games to win the Pac-12 title, before losing to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Now, the Utes enter the 2022 campaign as the favorites in the Pac-12 and for good reason. Coach Kyle Whittingham welcomes back eight starters on the offensive side of the ball, including three offensive linemen and perhaps the top one-two punch at tight end in the entire country. Defensively, there are some holes to fill, including the gaping one at linebacker that Devin Lloyd used to fill but there is plenty of room for optimism for the Utes.
Last season, the Utes were 84th in the nation in passing offense with 214.3 yards per game through the air and 13th in rushing with 216.8 yards per contest. Utah was 14th in the FBS in scoring offe nse with 36.1 points per game and finished 35th in the FBS in scoring defense by allowing 22.6 points per game. Cameron Rising was 204 of 320 for 2,493 yards with 20 touchdowns and five interceptions this season. He added 499 yards and six scores on the ground. Tavion Thomas led the team with 204 carries for 1,108 yards and 21 scores on the ground this season. Micah Bernard (87 carries, 523 yards, two TD) is the clear-cut #2 back to spell Thomas in the run game. Tight ends Brant Kuithe (50 receptions, 611 yards, six TD) and Dalton Kincaid (36 catches, 510 yards, eight TD) are the top returning pass catchers for the Utes. Devaughn Vele (23 receptions, 389 yards, TD) and Solomon Enis (22 catches, 248 yards, TD) are also good options in the passing game. Jadon Redding hit 41 of 43 extra point tries and 10 of 14 field goals with a long of 50 last season. Jordan Noyes has hit all 21 extra points and two of four on field goal tries this season with a long of 33 last year. Both are back, providing the Utes with quality depth in the kicking game.