Florida vs. Utah odds, spread, start time: 2023 college football picks ...

The Florida Gators will try to kick off the second year of the Billy Napier era the same way they started the first when they visit No. 14 Utah Utes on Thursday. The Gators beat the Utes 29-26 in Gainesville to kick off last season but went on to finish 6-7 after losing the Las Vegas Bowl to Oregon State. That gave Florida consecutive losing seasons for the first time since 1979. The Utes, on the other hand, won 10 games in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2010. They went 10-4 and lost to Penn State in the Rose Bowl to finish the season ranked 10th, their highest ranking since 2008. The Gators lost star quarterback Anthony Richardson, the fourth overall pick in the NFL draft, but Graham Mertz has transferred in after starting three seasons at Wisconsin. The Utes are expected to be without star quarterback Cam Rising as he works his way back from a torn ACL. 

Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Utes are 5-point favorites in the latest Florida vs. Utah SportsLine consensus odds, and the over/under for total points scored is set at 44.5. Before making any Utah vs. Florida picks, be sure to check out the college football predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $2,500 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Florida vs. Utah and just revealed its picks and predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's CFB picks. Here are several college football odds and trends for Utah vs. Florida:

• Florida vs. Utah spread: Utah -5
• Florida vs. Utah over/under: 44.5 points
• Florida vs. Utah money line: Gators +172, Utes -209
• FLA: The Gators are 2-12 in their last 14 road games against ranked opponents
• UTAH: Utah's 5.5 per-carry rushing average since 2021 is the best in FBS
• Florida vs. Utah picks: See picks at SportsLine 

Why Utah can cover

Utah will be fired up to avenge last year's loss, and the crowd will be ready. Utah hasn't lost in its last 28 non-conference home games. They are 23-1 in their past 24 overall at Rice-Eccles, with the loss coming to USC with no fans in attendance during the pandemic. Utah averaged 46.7 points per game at home in 2022. It appears that Rising won't go, but Bryson Barnes was the backup in 2022 and has appeared in 13 games, while Nate Johnson is raw but has potential game-changing ability.

Ja'Quinden Jackson should be the lead runner, and the sophomore averaged 6.8 yards per carry in 2022. He rushed for 303 yards and six TDs on 36 carries (8.4 ypc) in the final three games. The Utes averaged 5.4 yards per carry (seventh in FBS) in 2022. Utah converted on third down 50.6% of the time, seventh-best in FBS, and faces a Florida defense that was third-worst (50.3%). The Gators scored 27.7 points per game in 2002 and allowed 27.9, while Utah scored 36 and yielded 22.5. The Gators are 8-13 all-time in season openers on the road. See which team to pick here.

Why Florida can cover

Florida lost several top players to the draft, including Richardson, but recruiting has been strong and 13 players joined via the transfer portal. Four starters return on each side of the ball, and 24 Gators made their collegiate debuts last season and should be more poised in 2023. Mertz has a ton of experience, starting 32 of the Badgers' past 33 games. Wisconsin went 19-13 in those games, but Mertz completed 60% of his passes and threw 38 TD passes while amassing more than 5,000 yards. He'll have a more talented supporting cast, including a potent running game.

UF averaged 5.4 yards per carry in 2022, ranking 14th in FBS. Montrell Johnson Jr. and Trevor Etienne should be one of the most dangerous running back duos in the nation. Johnson rushed for 841 yards and Etienne added 718 yards in 2022, and they combined for 16 touchdowns. Etienne had 64 yards on five carries in last season's opener against Utah as the Gators rushed for 283 yards and averaged 7.2 yards per play. The Utes have lost their last three season openers against FBS opponents, and the Gators are 30-1 in season openers since 1990. See which team to pick here.

How to make Utah vs. Florida picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 48 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits more than 50% of the time. You can only see the model's pick at SportsLine. 

So who wins Florida vs. Utah, and which side of the spread hits more than 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has notched a profit of almost $2,500 on its top-rated college football spread picks, and find out.