The Utah top ten media hype is based on two things: the moral victory of losing a close game against a thoroughly depleted and unmotivated Ohio State team, and two victories over a talented but very overrated Oregon team.
Under Coach Crystal Ball, Oregon had vastly more talent than every other team in their conference and should have dominated, but didn’t. In four seasons, they lost to Boise state, stanford (twice), Washington state, arizona, utah (three times), arizona state, oregon state, cal, and Iowa state. That’s what we call a track record. Utah beating them last year means nothing.
What is meaningful is Utah losing to San Diego State, BYU, and Oregon State.
Let’s talk talent levels.
Utah offense vs UF defense
- Utah’s oline (two 4*) is completely outclassed by UF’s dline (one 5*, twelve 4* including projected Jacks)
- Utah’s WRs (one 4*) are completely outclassed by UF DBs (one 5*, eleven 4*)
- Utah TE (one 4*, two all conference) and RB (two 4*, one all conference) matches up well with UF LB (four high 4*, two mid 4*)
- Utah has a dynamic passer/scrambler. He’ll be running for his life much of the game.
- Projected score: 10 points.
- Look for the pick six
UF offense vs Utah defense
- UF oline talent (five 4*, but three of them at RG) is a cause for concern… in SEC play. They have a talent advantage against Utah Dline (one 4*).
- Utah DBs (one 4*, one very strong CB, but very weak everywhere else) are outclassed by UF WRs (one 5*, five 4*, plus 3* Pearsall)
- Utah LBs (two 4*) are the pride of the defense, but should have their hands full with UF RB (one 5*, two 4*, plus 3* Montrell Johnson) and TE (two 4*)
- Anthony Richardson
- How will they stop us?
- Predicted score 38 when the backups take over late in the third.
48-10 Gators
