Florida football: 3 bold predictions for battle with No. 14 Utah
![Florida Gators running back Trevor Etienne (7) and Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) celebrate after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 12, 2022. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs South Carolina GamecocksSyndication Gainesville Sun Florida Gators running back Trevor Etienne (7) and Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) celebrate after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 12, 2022. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs South Carolina GamecocksSyndication Gainesville Sun](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/9d900e35fc051a1c57700a8c41f45bbfa08ae9e4c4d2549fe0106e611784a5e5.jpg)
2. Florida football rushes for over 200 yards
With a quarterback who doesn’t exactly shine in big games as well as three receivers and two tight ends listed as questionable for Thursday’s game, I expect the Gators to rely heavily on the run game.
Florida averaged just over 200 rushing yards per game last season, ranking 24th in the country. I expect that success to continue in this one.
Montrell Johnson and Trevor Etienne make up one of the best 1-2 punches in the backfield in college football and they’re going to start their 2023 seasons off on high notes. I expect both of them to approach 100 yards and I see the offense surpassing the 200-yard mark.
That may not seem very bold considering Florida averaged 200.2 yards per game on the ground last season but Utah had the 17th-ranked run defense, allowing just 111 yards on the ground per game, and the Utes return three starters on the defensive line and a linebacker.
Florida will make a statement on the ground against a stout run defense.