UF vs Utah

AuthorAuthor

Zach Beier & Chubbs Scheffler
August 30, 2023

Good morning,

Let’s dive in…

Developing Stories 📰

The upcoming week marks Week 1 of the college football season, and among the matchups scheduled, there is an intriguing game between the Florida Gators from the SEC and the Utah Utes from the Pac-12. Last year, the Gators finished with a 6-7 record overall, including a 3-5 record in the SEC. In contrast, the Utes had a stronger performance, going 10-4 overall and 7-2 in the Pac-12. Both of these conference teams are eager to make a strong start in the 2023 season. The question of who will emerge victorious and, more importantly, who will cover the spread looms as they face off on Thursday, August 31, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

Following a somewhat disappointing performance in 2022, the pressure is on the Gators and their second-year coach, Billy Napier, to show improvement in the 2023 season. Their challenge lies in the demanding SEC, a conference known for tough competition, featuring reigning national champion Georgia, perennial powerhouse Alabama, LSU, and expected top 15 contenders like Tennessee and LSU. The departure of their All-American quarterback, Anthony Richardson, to the NFL's Indianapolis Colts has left a significant void for Florida to address. This role will now be taken up by Graham Mertz, a transfer from Wisconsin. Mertz, a senior, boasted an impressive record during his time at Wisconsin, throwing for 5,405 yards and 38 touchdowns. While he may not possess Richardson's running abilities, Mertz is adept at passing.

Mertz will have a selection of targets at his disposal, including standout Ricky Pearsall, who recorded 33 receptions for 661 yards and 5 touchdowns in the previous year. Additionally, Caleb Douglas and Marcus Burke are anticipated to be pivotal receiving options for Mertz. The team also boasts two formidable running backs: Montrell Johnson, who achieved 841 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in the previous season, and Trevor Etienne, with 719 rushing yards and 6 scores.

However, there is uncertainty surrounding the availability of both Pearsall and Douglas for the upcoming game, while running back Cam Carroll will be sidelined for the entire season.

The Utah Utes commenced their 2022 season against Florida, and interestingly, they find themselves once again starting the season against the same opponent. In the previous year, Utah was ranked in the preseason top 10 and was favored in the game against Florida. Nevertheless, the Gators managed a surprise upset victory with a score of 29-26. Utah went on to perform well in their subsequent games, winning 10 out of 13 and finishing with a 10-4 record, while Florida faced struggles and ended the season with a subpar record. In the current preseason rankings, Utah finds itself in the top 20 once again, holding the 14th spot. The Utes, under the leadership of experienced coach Kyle Whittingham, are favored by 6.5 points in the upcoming game.

Utah secured the Pac-12 title in the previous year and is expected to contend for the title once more in this final year for the Pac-12. The team boasts substantial firepower on both offense and defense. The offensive lineup will be spearheaded by quarterback Cam Rising, who showcased impressive statistics with a 64% completion rate, 3,030 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and a mere 8 interceptions. He also demonstrated his rushing abilities, accumulating 465 yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground. Although Rising suffered an ACL injury in the last season's bowl game, he has successfully recovered and is deemed likely to play in the upcoming match. The Utes retain three of their top four running backs from the previous year, with Ja'Quinden Jackson leading the pack. While they lost their primary receiver, Dalton Kincaid, the team is in capable hands with returning receivers Devaughn Vele, who secured 55 receptions for 695 yards, and Money Parks, who caught 26 passes for 414 yards.

Headlines 🚨

On This Day in Sport History: 1987 2nd World Championship in Athletics; Carl Lewis wins gold in 100m after Ben Johnson is disqualified.

2006 Greg Maddux wins his 330th career game

2021 Andy Roddick announces he will retire following the U.s Open.

Quarterback Bailey Zappe back to Patriots on the practice squad.

The Packers also were trying got trade for Colts running back Jonathan Taylor.

For the third consecutive year LSU will begin the season without talented running back John Emery.

The Minnesota Vikings to sign ex-Dolphins running back Myles Gaskin, waive Jalen Reagor.

The Pittsburgh Steelers sign ex-Texans CB Desmond King a day after he was released on a one-year contract.

Coach Ryan Day announces Kyle McCord will replace C.J. Stroud as Ohio State starter for week 1.

Nebraska TE Arik Gilbert a former five-star recruit awaiting an eligibility ruling from the NCAA, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of burglary in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Trends 📈📉 via Oddsshark

⚾️ White Sox at Orioles

  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi White Sox's last 5 games on the road

  • The total has gone OVER in 8 of Chi White Sox's last 12 games when playing on the road against Baltimore

  • Baltimore is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games

  • Baltimore is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home

⚾️ Angels at Phillies

  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Angels's last 5 games when playing Philadelphia

  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Angels's last 5 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia

  • Philadelphia is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing LA Angels

  • Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing LA Angels

⚾️ Guardians at Twins

  • Cleveland is 11-1 ATS in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Minnesota

  • Cleveland is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Minnesota

  • The total has gone OVER in 7 of Minnesota's last 8 games

  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games at home

⚾️ Brewers at Cubs

  • Milwaukee is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road

  • Milwaukee is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games

  • The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chi Cubs's last 7 games at home

  • The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 5 games when playing at home against Milwaukee

⚾️ Nationals at Blue Jays

  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto

  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games when playing Toronto

⚾️ Reds at Giants

  • The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Cincinnati's last 24 games

  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Francisco's last 6 games when playing Cincinnati

  • The total has gone UNDER in 20 of San Francisco's last 25 games at home

⚾️ Astros at Red Sox

  • Houston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road

  • Houston is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road

  • The total has gone OVER in 12 of Boston's last 13 games

  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games when playing Houston

⚾️ Athletics at Mariners

  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oakland's last 5 games when playing on the road against Seattle

  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oakland's last 5 games when playing Seattle

⚾️ Rangers at Mets

  • The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Texas's last 8 games when playing NY Mets

  • The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Texas's last 7 games when playing on the road against NY Mets

  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Mets's last 5 games at home

  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Mets's last 5 games

⚾️ Yankees at Tigers

  • NY Yankees is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Detroit

  • The total has gone UNDER in 8 of NY Yankees's last 9 games when playing on the road against Detroit

  • The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Detroit's last 12 games when playing NY Yankees

⚾️ Pirates at Royals

  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing on the road against Kansas City

  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing Kansas City

  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Kansas City's last 6 games at home

⚾️ Braves at Rockies

  • Atlanta is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Colorado

  • Atlanta is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Colorado

  • The total has gone OVER in 6 of Colorado's last 7 games at home

  • The total has gone OVER in 9 of Colorado's last 13 games

⚾️ Diamondbacks at Dodgers

  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 5 games

  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 5 games on the road

  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Dodgers's last 5 games

  • LA Dodgers is 14-1 SU in its last 15 games at home

Public Money 🤑 via VSiN at 9AMCT

33% of bets and 58% of money is on UNDER 9 LAA at PHI

44% of bets and 76% of money is on MIL -1.5 (

45% of bets and 70% of money is on UNDER 7.5 CIN at SF

65% of bets and 88% of money is on OVER 7.5 NYY at DET

30% of bets and 54% of money is on OVER 9.5 TEX at NYM

45% of bets and 65% of money is on KC +1.5 (

29% of bets and 60% of money is on OVER 13.5 ATL at COL

Future Odds 🔮 via Bovada Sportsbook

Injury Report 🏥 via ESPN

BOS (CF) Jarren Duran | 10 Day IL - Toe turf, will undergo season ending surgery today

COL (2B) Brendan Rodgers | Day-to-Day - Illness

LAA (RF) Mickey Moniak | Day-to-Day - Back

MIA (DH) Jorge Soler | Day-to-Day - Hip

MIL (1B) Carlos Santana | Day-to-Day - Ankle

SF (CF) Mike Yastrzemski | 10 Day IL - Hamstring, likely to be activated today

SEA (1B) Ty France | Day-to-Day - Wrist

SEA (CF) Julio Rodriguez | Day-to-Day

TOR (SS) Bo Bichette | 10 Day IL - Quad

TOR (DH) Brandon Belt | Day-to-Day - Back

TOR (3B) Matt Chapman | 10 Day IL - Finger

Picks 🔒

Astros -133 | The Astros have won 4 games in a row, taking down the Red Sox in the first 2 games of the series 6-2 Tuesday and 13-5 Monday. Houston is in a 3-way tie for 1st place in the AL West with the Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners. All 3 teams are tied for the 2nd and 3rd AL Wild Card with a 3 1/2 game lead over the Toronto Blue Jays. This is a must win for Houston.

Phillies -1.5 +114 | The banged-up Angels have a bit more growth potential in their overall team numbers. They are a no-go here but might struggle to cover the Run Line.

U.S. Open | Dominic Thiem +115: I feel confident in Thiem’s ability against a left-handed player. Thiem is 5-2 against lefties this year. He knows how to take the one-handed backhand down the line, which can expose the lefty with aggression.

Utah -4.5 | Kyle Whittingham and the Utes will be ready this season and looking for payback, especially at home, where they were 6-0 last season. Florida has a new quarterback, Mertz, who should be good, but it is his first game with the new offense, and his two top receivers are questionable. Utah's Cam Rising is listed as probable and I expect him to play and be just fine after tearing his ACL last season. Go with the veteran, experienced home team to win by at least a touchdown