Everything you need to know about the Utah vs. Florida football game

The wait is almost over.

The No. 14 Utes host the Florida Gators tonight at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

The back-to-back Pac-12 champs will be looking to avenge last year’s 29-26 loss in the Swamp. The Gators are venturing outside the state of Florida to face a non-conference opponent for just the second time since 1991.

How to watch Utah vs. Florida

Kickoff: 6 p.m.

TV: ESPN

Streaming: WatchESPN

Radio: ESPN 700 AM/92.1 FM

Line: The Utes are a 4.5-point favorite

Weather: Partly cloudy with highs in the upper-70s at kickoff

Keys to the game

1. Who plays quarterback for the Utes?

Cam Rising threw for 216 yards and rushed for 91 more in last year’s season-opener in Gainesville. But the senior quarterback seems unlikely to start for the Utes as he continues to work back from an ACL injury he suffered in the Rose Bowl.

Bryson Barnes, a former walk-on, has been coach Kyle Whittingham’s preferred option as Rising’s backup for the last two seasons. But former four-star recruit Nate Johnson brings speed and athleticism to the position. Whittingham has promised Johnson will see the field in some capacity against the Gators.

The game plan “changes fairly significantly” depending on the quarterback, Whittingham said.

The good news: Offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig says the Utes have spent the offseason preparing for the possibility of starting the year without their star QB.

2. Wrapping up the Gators

Twenty-nine. That’s the number of missed tackles the Utes counted in last season’s loss to the Gators. This time around Morgan Scalley’s defense promises to be better prepared.

It won’t hurt either that quarterback Anthony Richardson, who ran all over the Utes last year, is now wearing an Indianapolis Colts jersey. Florida’s starting quarterback tonight, Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz, will provide a more traditional look from the pocket.

3. Running the game

With a full offseason under his belt after transition from quarterback to running back, Ja’Quinden Jackson could be in for a big night at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Tavion Thomas had 115 yards and a score against the Gators last year.

Headlines

• Utah football is sweating the small stuff in rematch vs. Florida

• Cam Rising vs. Bryson Barnes vs. Nate Johnson — how Utah’s game plan changes with each QB

• With Florida here, the Utes won’t waste time getting to the point

• What experts are saying about Utes football’s chances at a Pac-12 three-peat

• Tropical Storm Idalia changed Florida Gators’ travel plans for Utah game

• Utah QB Cam Rising feels ‘pretty damn good.’ But will he play vs. Florida?

• As Utah welcomes its first SEC team to Salt Lake City, Kyle Whittingham says Florida’s visit ‘speaks to our national brand’

• ‘Levani Damuni, Utah linebacker’ has a nice ring to it

Quotable

“Obviously Utah is a very formidable opponent. This is the Pac-12 champ back-to-back years. Certainly have a ton of respect for Coach Whittingham, Coach Scalley, Coach Ludwig, just the brand of football, right? … Certainly, last year was a heck of a football game. They definitely have an identity, and it’s one of the reasons why they’ve been able to perform with consistency and be a contender year in, year out.”

— Florida head coach Billy Napier

Going to the game?

Here’s what you need to know.

The Arrival: The Utes are trying to create a new game day tradition this season. Fans can welcome the team as players get off the bus. Fans are asked to gather outside Gate L on 500 South by 3:45 p.m

Digital tickets: The U. recommends downloading tickets and parking passes to your mobile wallets.

Stadium gates: You can enter Rice-Eccles beginning at 4:30 p.m., 90 minutes before kickoff.

Bag policy: Only clear bags (up to 12 inches by 18 inches) will be allowed inside.

Water bottles: One factory-sealed water bottle (1 liter or less) will be allowed per person. Water cannot be frozen. Personal water bottles (1 liter or less) will be allowed so long as they are empty. Glass water bottles are not allowed.