Utah (-2.5) at Florida: Saturday, Sept. 3

Florida hasn't been an underdog at home versus a non-conference opponent since it was a five-point dog vs. Florida State in 2017. And according to ESPN's Chris Fallica, the last time the Gators were home underdogs in a non-conference game against anybody other than Florida State was way back in 1986 vs. Miami.

To open the Billy Napier era, though, the Gators are 2.5-point underdogs in Gainesville against Utah, the reigning Pac-12 champions.

The Utes played like a top-10 team over the second half of the 2021 season while the Gators collapsed in the final days of the Dan Mullen era. How quickly can Napier put his stamp on the way Florida plays? His teams at Louisiana were simultaneously creative and physical. At Florida he has an electric quarterback in Anthony Richardson, so that's a good place to start.

The blistering heat and humidity tip the scales in the Gators favor. I skip that game because its so hot and humid. Miserable.

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"One of the reasons why propaganda tries to get you to hate government is because it's the one existing institution in which people can participate to some extent and constrain tyrannical unaccountable power." Noam Chomsky.

I sold my UF/Miami ticket in '86 for like $100. Lot of money to me back then. Went straight to the beach.

Should be interesting game!

Napier's first game as head coach so Utah probably won't know what to expect. da swamp is nasty in September. I've sat in that stadium for both a gator fan and a UCF fan in early games and it is not fun to be in....unless you are winning.

And now they serve beer. Makes it even worse.

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"One of the reasons why propaganda tries to get you to hate government is because it's the one existing institution in which people can participate to some extent and constrain tyrannical unaccountable power." Noam Chomsky.

Trivia department: the airboat was invented in Utah.

WTF!!!

Seriously, this post is odd and off subject, even for you!




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"Most people would die sooner than think; in fact, they do." - Bertrand Russell


"Morality is doing what is right, regardless of what you are told. Religion is doing what you are told, regardless of what is right.


If I do not answer you .... nothing personal, I just have you on ignore.

Edited: 07/24/2022 at 10:20 AM by LBLarry

NO thing is out of bounds for dubdub! pay attencion, lorenzo!!!

Interesting

wtf johnny

There is some muted talk amongst the gator nation that can only be described as wishful optimism. They are saying that the gators are the sleeper team this preseason and Napier is going to come out very strong with a punch in the nose for Utah victory in a close game where Richardson showcases his accuracy and talent that gives them a 10 win season. Consistent with their long and proud history, they will beat teams that they do not belong on the same field with and will lose to at least one team that is very close to community college. They will shine early, suffer huge injuries, suffer transfers and make a bowl game days before Christmas that no one, not even them, really cares about.

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"One of the reasons why propaganda tries to get you to hate government is because it's the one existing institution in which people can participate to some extent and constrain tyrannical unaccountable power." Noam Chomsky.

Gators have a favorable schedule with 8 home games (including gator bowl). I'd love to see them go up to Knoxville and knock off the vols.

In BOLD are home games

Sep 3 SAT vs Utah 7pm ESPN
Sep 10 Sat vs Kentucky 7pm ESPN
Sep 17 Sat vs USF 7:30pm SEC Network
Sep 24 Sat AT Tennessee
Oct 1 Sat vs Eastern Washington
Oct 8 Sat vs Missouri
Oct 15 Sat vs LSU
Oct 29 Sat vs Georgia , Jacksonville
Nov 5 Sat AT Tamu
Nov 12 Sat vs South Carolina
Nov 19 Sat AT Vanderbilt
Nov 25 Fri AT FSU

I'll be there. After a summer of doing work on the farm, I am acclimated to hot and humid. We will see how Utah fares in that department in the 4th quarter. Hard to prepare for that, I'd think.

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I :heart; Q

I was at The Swamp on 9/11/1982 when the USC TrojEnz made their first trip to G'ville. September heat in full effect. Trojies brought their full compliment of sideline air conditioners, but were dropping like flies. UF won 17-9.

I remember sitting behind the visiting teams in Sept. Fla Field was below grade and had Astroturf. It was a death trap and you could see the players dieing. The Gators used to have the same advantage in basketball before the O-Dome. Kentucky and the other "northern" teams would come down and crush them in the first half only to wilt and make it a game in the second. Fla Gym was unairconditioned and a sweat box even in January.

Any gator practice reports? I've been knee deep in UCF ones. Gators sounding good preseason?

Very quiet from the gator camp. I don't know if that is disciplined information management or just plain nothing good to report.

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"One of the reasons why propaganda tries to get you to hate government is because it's the one existing institution in which people can participate to some extent and constrain tyrannical unaccountable power." Noam Chomsky.

"If you set your expectations low, you'll never be disappointed."

Hopefully they're just setting outside expectations that way ("rebuilding year") but will let their play on the field do all the talking.

It's hard to come out with any swagger after a season-ending loss, like last year's bowl game loss to their little brother down south.

UCF pretty much hit rock bottom with that bowl game loss to BYU the year before.

When you've reached rock bottom, there's nowhere to go but up.

That season is known as: The Radio Silent Season by CentroDavo




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"Most people would die sooner than think; in fact, they do." - Bertrand Russell


"Morality is doing what is right, regardless of what you are told. Religion is doing what you are told, regardless of what is right.


If I do not answer you .... nothing personal, I just have you on ignore.

Edited: 08/06/2022 at 10:57 AM by LBLarry

LOL, but still not as bad as when UCF was still a D-III school for which every away game was scheduled as their opponent's homecoming.

Who would schedule their first game of the season as homecoming? Any school if UCF was coming to town. Dave would remember those days if he's as old as I am.

Not only radio silence but totally blocked out that horrible boca bowl vs the mormons. I was there. First game ever I walked out early in the 3rd quarter.

Yeah for the Vols taking away Heupel. He had checked out. UCF is in way better spot now.

Problem for me now is that BYU is a future conference mate next year. I'll get reminded of the boca bowl again. UCF is at FAU in Boca this season. I'm not going. Don't want reminded of it. LOL.

But, thanks for raising my blood pressure this morning. I'm gonna go kick my dog.

I may have to come over to your house in the next month or so. I'm a Gator fan and may need a dog that can take a kicking.

LOL. It's a 15 year old jack russell that thinks he is the head of the household. Please come over and kick him. It won't make a diff though. Its a 15 year old jack russell and spoiled. But, it may make you feel better! LOL. All joking of course. I never kick my dog.

Has he all of his teeth? If so, I may have to revise my plan.

People who beat their dogs don't go to Heaven!



Possible exception if it's a Jawja Bulldog.

Edited: 08/07/2022 at 01:52 PM by CurtisEflush

Good point. That seems like a HUGE loophole.

Florida receives votes but left out of preseason AP Poll top 25
David Rosenberg - Yesterday 2:36 PM

https://www.msn.com/en-us/spor...oll-top-25/ar-AA10GNNb

Utah Football Game Preview: No. 7 Utah Utes vs Florida Gators

https://www.si.com/college/uta...utes-vs-florida-gators

Great game!

Not sure if Utah was overrated or the Gators underrated, but, yes it was a great and super exciting game; couldn't ask for better entertainment. Richardson is the real deal and it looks like the O-line issues of the past 30 years may have been resolved. Utah supposedly had a strong D-line and the Gators handled them. The D looked solid, too. Gawja and Bama will probably still win easily, but the rest of the games are looking good.

That was absolutely crazy. I still can't believe it. What a great start. I still think their defense has issues but that may have to do with Utah being pretty good.

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"One of the reasons why propaganda tries to get you to hate government is because it's the one existing institution in which people can participate to some extent and constrain tyrannical unaccountable power." Noam Chomsky.

If AR can play at that level, they will do great until they lose to Georgia in the SEC east and wait for a bowl game. I see them having an 8 win season.

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"One of the reasons why propaganda tries to get you to hate government is because it's the one existing institution in which people can participate to some extent and constrain tyrannical unaccountable power." Noam Chomsky.

AP voters liked that win so much it jumped the Gators up to #12.

That jump is way too soon. They won only one game. I see 18-20, not 12

they recognize!

Well they did beat a top team in Utah. It was a great game that could have gone either way. Wonder what the outcome would have been if played in SLC or a neutral field. I was at a bar (village idiot pub) during the game and nobody in it was watching the game. when I yelped later the INT everyone looked at me. Im like, no gator fans in cocoa?!?

The polls will work themselves out. I think they are missing the mark on UCF though. but, I'm super biased. UCF has a much improved team than last year. But a lot of games to be played.

Its too much too soon. Its like the Matrix, they can't see a great ranking and still get the great result.

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"One of the reasons why propaganda tries to get you to hate government is because it's the one existing institution in which people can participate to some extent and constrain tyrannical unaccountable power." Noam Chomsky.

That didn't last one game. AR revealed his inexperience and his adrenaline bullets were uncatchable by most of the receivers most of the time. He cannot moderate the speed of his throws and Kentucky absolutely contained his run. His greatest play may have been tackling the player that intercepted him. He has lots to learn and his skills need to grow to his talent. Floridas defense looked better than it has in years. It just didn't look good the entire second half.

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"One of the reasons why propaganda tries to get you to hate government is because it's the one existing institution in which people can participate to some extent and constrain tyrannical unaccountable power." Noam Chomsky.