UCF opens season as heavy favorite in nonconference matchup with Kent State • Underdog, unranked Gators seek upset at Utah as No. 14 Utes likely without QB Cam Rising
 Sentinel Sports Final Thursday, August 31, 2023 | | |
| | | | Bianchi picks FSU to win national title and Jaguars to win Super Bowl | UCF opens season as heavy favorite in nonconference matchup with Kent State | Unranked Gators seek upset at Utah as No. 14 Utes likely without QB Cam Rising | | | | Most anticipated rivalry of the year? The clash between FSU's Board of Trustees and ACC attorneys in "Grant-of-Rights Grudge in the Sludge." | | | | | These programs have split their first four meetings with Kent State winning the last two games in 2003-04. UCF hasn't dropped a season opener since 2015 when the Knights lost to FIU 15-14. | | | | | Billy Napier has improved UF's talent and depth, but needs quarterback Graham Mertz to improve and both lines to solidify. Meanwhile, Utah quarterback Cam Rising is ready to return from a torn ACL suffered during the Rose Bowl has consumed the Utes' offseason. | | | | | New quarterback Graham Mertz does not offer Anthony Richardson's wow factor but could be much more efficient — and able to sustain more scoring drives. Meanwhile, the Gators' dependance on a strong run game demands the offensive line jells quickly. | | | | | Orlando City's two-match win streak ended but the Lions — 6-1-3 in their last 10 in all competitions — moved up into 3rd place in the MLS East. | | | | | Two young quarterbacks triggered a game for the ages in Week 1 of high school football. Lake Mary sophomore Noah Grubbs and Dr. Phillips junior Stanley Anderson smashed the Florida high school record for combined passing yards by opposing QBs in Lake Mary's extraordinary 76-60 home win. | | | | | Josh Lowe and Randy Arozarena delivered run-scoring hits as Tampa Bay moves to a season-high 30 games over .500. | | | | | He's been a part of a Bowl Championship Series win, a winless season, a record-setting undefeated season and a 25-game winning streak with back-to-back appearances in New Year's Six bowl games from 2013-18. | | | | | The Gators open at Utah a year after stunning the Utes in Billy Napier's debut and will have many more tests ahead in 2023. They face one of the nation's toughest schedules in 2023, with UF's opponents going 96-60 (61.5%) in 2022. | | | | | Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said "nothing really close" developed and no offers were exchanged with the Colts in trade talks for Jonathan Taylor. | | | |
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