Early in the week, it didn't seem like the oddsmakers could set a spread that was high enough for the Florida Gators. One glance at the roster and it didn't take the deepest of experts to know that Saturday night in The Swamp was going to be a beatdown.
And so while there are areas the keen eye can nitpick, the Gators proved why LIU was as overmatched as they come in a cakewalk of an opening night win.
Florida cruises past LIU
Just three plays into the game, Bryce Thornton recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown. It was the first fumble returned for a touchdown in the Billy Napier Era, but it was also an omen for just how big a mismatch this night would be.
LIU was mauled in the trenches the entire night on both sides of the ball, and there was seldom a moment when it looked like the Sharks would make Florida have to pretend to try.
Mind you, Florida's roster was down double digits due to injuries and still barely broke a sweat.
DJ Lagway was fine enough, going 15/18 for 120 yards and three touchdowns before bowing out at halftime. But the real headliner on offense to emerge was Vernell Brown III.
The freshman wide receiver took a backseat this summer to fellow freshman Dallas Wilson after the spring game, but the five-star legacy prospect showcased why he, too, has a super high ceiling in Gainesville.
His highlight reel one-handed catch was part of a 79-yard night to make him look like an instant star.
Tramell Jones is also going to be a major talking point after he earned the role of QB2 and looked comfortable in the role. Jones was not only accurate as needed, but also showcased some scrambling ability to make Gator fans believe he could be capable of keeping the ship afloat if Lagway winds up missing any time during the season.
Don't get it twisted that covering the spread against LIU equates to a national title. And there are definitely things that the keen eye can critique.
But considering how Florida has looked even against FCS opponents at times in recent years, Saturday night was just what the doctor ordered for The Swamp.