Florida football know your enemy: A familiar face on the Utes’ defense

Now that game week is officially upon us, it’s time for our first opponent previews of the year. This week, Florida football faces off against the Utah Utes.

We’ve already covered Utah’s offense, and now it’s time to look at their defense.

Utah has a very experienced defense. While not everyone has starting experience, only one projected starter has yet to see game action, which is Lander Barton at LB.

The good news for the Gators is that the Utes are losing their best defensive player from last year in Devin Lloyd. Lloyd was drafted in the first round of the NFL draft this past year, and led Utah in INTs, tackles, defensive touchdowns, and was second in sacks.

Taking Lloyd’s place this year is a familiar face for Gator fans.

Florida football know your enemy: The elephant in the room

All eyes in the stadium will be on No. 3 when Utah’s defense first comes out onto the field. Former Gator Mohamoud Diabate transferred to Utah during the offseason, and his first game with his new team will be back in The Swamp.

Diabate always had talent but never got it rolling in Todd Grantham’s scheme and seemed to struggle with tackling on occasion. Last year with Florida he totaled 89 tackles, 34 of which were solo, and failed to get a sack or forced fumble.

Mohamoud is going to be expected to lead Utah’s defense. He has the most game experience out of everyone on Utah’s defense, and the second-highest number of starts.

Only time will tell how Diabate reacts to being back in Gainesville for his first game with Utah. For our sake, we hope it doesn’t go too well.

Florida football know your enemy: Experience in the trenches

The Gators OL is going to get an early test on Saturday night, as they play a very experienced defensive line. Every starter for the Utes has played in at least 13 games, and only one has yet to start a game.

Despite their good experience, all the starters are just sophomores and don’t have the years of experience it usually takes to survive The Swamp.

The leader of the group figures to be No. 7 Van Fillinger. He is the most productive returner on their d-line, with 41 tackles and 5.5 sacks.

For a Gators team that figures to be run-heavy, it’s probably in their best interest to run away from Fillinger and test the other members of the defensive line.

Florida football know your enemy: Solid secondary, but beatable

Utah’s defensive backs are their most experienced group, but that hasn’t come with awesome returns for the Utes. Last season they ranked 71st in the country in opponent completion % at 61.28%, 57th in opp. pass yards per game at 223, and 89th in INT percentage at 2.14%.

Utah’s most productive returner is sophomore DB Clark Phillips III. In 2021 he had 61 tackles, a forced fumble, and 2 interceptions. While his numbers are good, he is slightly undersized for SEC competition at 5’10”-183.

While this got it done in the PAC-12, SEC receivers can take advantage of that size. If Justin Shorter gets matched up on Phillips 1 on 1, he should be able to go up top and make a grab over the smaller defender.

Florida football know your enemy: Play fast and overwhelm

I don’t care what the preseason rankings say, the Gators have the advantage over Utah heading into this game. With the environment of The Swamp, plus the humidity that Saturday night will bring, Utah won’t be ready for UF’s attack.

Reports out of camp have been telling us that the Gators are going to push the pace this season and operate faster. If they execute this plan well, Utah will be overwhelmed and exhausted before the first quarter ends.

Keep up with Florida football at Hail Florida Hail.