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Florida football: Five things the Gators must do to beat Utah

By Benjamin Henderson

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 27: Anthony Richardson #15 of the Florida Gators takes the field before the start of a game against the Florida State Seminoles at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 27: Anthony Richardson #15 of the Florida Gators takes the field before the start of a game against the Florida State Seminoles at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /
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Florida football Ventrell Miller
Sep 21, 2019; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) runs out of the tunnel prior to the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Florida football keys to victory: Ventrell Miller must contain Tavion Thomas

Much like Florida can steal yards by daring Utah to tackle Richardson, the Utes can steal yards by daring Florida to tackle Tavion Thomas.

Utah’s offense loves to line up in heavy sets that employ two tight-ends. Last year they utilized a mixture of snaps in shotgun and snaps under center. Utah normally won’t run out of shotgun formation. Most of their running plays come when under center, and if they aren’t running they throw in a play-action.

Utah’s Thomas is their running back listed at 6-2, 238 pounds and will be the one to test Florida’s tackling.

The Gators have several former Top 100 prospects listed as an inside linebacker, but the only proven player in that group that Napier can trust to bring down Thomas will be Ventrell Miller.

Miller is back after missing a large portion of last season due to injury. If Miller can win the battle against Thomas, it turns Utah into a very one-dimensional offense that on paper doesn’t have a proven vertical threat. If Miller loses this battle and no one else steps up, Utah can just pound the rock and it won’t matter if Utah is one-dimensional.

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