Florida Gators working again Montrell Johnson Jr. (2) scores a landing as Utah and Florida play in Gainesville, Fla., on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. Florida gained 29-26. Scott G Winterton, Deseret Information
Utah’s 29-26 loss to Florida was considered one of Week 1’s marquee matchups, with a lot of eyes on the Utes and Gators as the 2 groups battled on the Swamp.
Right here’s a roundup of what nationwide voices considered the thrilling contest.
David Cobb, CBS Sports activities
“All through the offseason, Utah was anointed the Pac-12’s finest hope of snapping a CFP drought that dates again to 2016. After going toe to toe with Ohio State in a Rose Bowl loss to cap the 2021 season, the Utes introduced again 14 starters to one of many nation’s most-established applications beneath coach Kyle Whittingham, who started his 18th 12 months with this system Saturday night time.
Whereas a Week 1 loss doesn’t fully get rid of Utah from CFP rivalry, it removes any margin for error and makes the duty significantly daunting. The Utes began 1-2 final season with losses to BYU and San Diego State and nonetheless managed to win the Pac-12 however completed Eleventh within the CFP Rankings, nicely out of true rivalry.
With Oregon, USC and Washington all breaking in new head coaches, Utah nonetheless has a superb alternative to repeat as convention champions. As soon as once more, nevertheless, there’s little advantage of the doubt for a Pac-12 favourite with regards to the playoff image. With Utah’s loss, the convention is 1-8 towards SEC groups in Week 1 over the past 11 seasons. Pac-12 groups had been ranked in seven of these eight losses.”
Stewart Mandel, The Athletic
“If nothing else, Saturday was a pleasant reminder of the huge abyss separating the SEC and the Pac-12. Defending nationwide champion Georgia handled Eleventh-ranked Oregon extra like an overmatched FCS workforce than a program that gained at Ohio State lower than a 12 months in the past. Florida-Utah, in contrast, was a down-to-the-wire thriller, the Gators sealing a 29-26 upset by intercepting Cam Rising in the long run zone within the closing half-minute. However it was nonetheless a Florida workforce picked to complete fourth within the SEC East beating a preseason top-10 workforce picked to repeat as Pac-12 champion.”
Nicole Auerbach, The Athletic
“Right here is my boldest prediction of the weekend: I nonetheless assume Utah goes to make the School Soccer Playoff. This is the reason I’m holding the Utes in my prime 10, though they misplaced to an unranked Florida workforce within the Swamp. To begin with, I hate punishing groups that go on the highway into robust environments as a substitute of taking part in lower-level opponents they’d beat handily. Shut, dramatic video games like Utah-Florida are why I like this sport, and whereas the winner deserves a ton of credit score, I don’t assume the loser needs to be penalized a lot if in any respect.”
David Hale, ESPN
“As all the time, the Pac-12 was variety sufficient to largely get rid of itself from the playoff dialogue in Week 1 with losses by Utah and Oregon.”
I can shut my eyes and see a situation the place Utah's 3-point loss to Heisman Trophy finalist Anthony Richardson and 9-3 Florida on the highway would not preserve the Utes out of the playoff.
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) September 4, 2022
USC made the precise option to bolt the Pac 12. Utah and Oregon each have very clear ceilings, regardless of Phil Knight’s cash and the teaching & loyalty of Kyle Wittingham.
— Colin Cowherd (@ColinCowherd) September 4, 2022