Week 1 of college football will see a rematch of Florida vs. Utah, one of last year's most exciting season openers. The Gators defended their home stadium in the final minutes to win 29-26.
This time around, the No. 14-ranked Utes will host Florida for the matchup's first game in Rice-Eccles Stadium.
The Gators are looking to get back on their feet after back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 1978. With Florida predicted to finish fifth in the SEC East, second-year head coach Billy Napier will undoubtedly have work to do this season.
While the question of starting quarterback loomed the program, transfer Graham Mertz was named QB1 following Florida's fall scrimmage. Mertz replaces Anthony Richardson after a career-best season at Wisconsin where he completed 2,136 passing yards for 19 touchdowns.
MORE: Watch Florida vs. Utah live with Fubo (free trial)
Utah heads into the 2023 season with high expectations after winning two consecutive Pac-12 championships. Unlike their Week 1 opponents, the Utes' quarterback position is not yet secured.
Senior Cameron Rising is making progress from an ACL tear sustained in last year's Rose Bowl, but whether he will be ready against the Gators will be a game-day decision for head coach Kyle Whittingham. Rising recorded 3,034 passing yards for 26 touchdowns in the 2022 season.
Injury seems to plague Utah's quarterback room, as redshirt freshman Brandon Rose was set to be the backup quarterback before sustaining an unnamed injury during fall camp.
Whittingham has identified junior Bryson Barnes and redshirt freshman Nate Johnson as possible successors to Rising.
Here is a complete guide to watching Florida vs. Utah, including a full TV schedule and channels for the Week 1 college football game.
MORE: Week 1 college football picks for every Top 25 game
What channel is Florida vs. Utah on today?
- TV channel: ESPN
- Live stream: ESPN.com, EPSN+, Fubo
The matchup will be nationally broadcast on ESPN. With no College GameDay in attendance, ESPN's Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will call the game along sideline reporter Holly Rowe.
Florida vs. Utah start time
- Date: Thursday, Aug. 31
- Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Florida vs. Utah will kickoff at 8 p.m. ET at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.
Florida football schedule 2023
| Date | Opponent | Start time |
| Aug. 31 | at No. 14 Utah | 8 p.m. ET |
| Sept. 9 | vs. McNeese | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| Sept. 16 | vs. Tennessee* | 7 p.m. ET |
| Sept. 23 | vs. Charlotte | 7 p.m. ET |
| Sept. 30 | at Kentucky* | TBD |
| Oct. 7 | vs. Vanderbilt* | TBD |
| Oct. 14 | at South Carolina | TBD |
| Oct. 21 | BYE | N/A |
| Oct. 28 | vs. Georgia* (TIAA Bank Field) | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| Nov. 4 | vs. Arkansas* | TBD |
| Nov. 11 | at LSU* | TBD |
| Nov. 18 | at Missouri* | TBD |
| Nov. 25 | vs. Florida State | TBD |
* SEC game
Utah football schedule 2023
| Date | Opponent | Start time |
| Aug. 31 | vs. Florida | 8 p.m. ET |
| Sept. 9 | at Baylor | Noon ET |
| Sept. 16 | vs. Weber State | 2 p.m. ET |
| Sept. 23 | vs. UCLA* | TBD |
| Sept. 29 | at No. 18 Oregon State* | 9 p.m. ET |
| Oct. 7 | BYE | N/A |
| Oct. 14 | vs. California* | TBD |
| Oct. 21 | at No. 6 USC* | TBD |
| Oct. 28 | vs. No. 15 Oregon* | TBD |
| Nov. 4 | vs. Arizona State* | TBD |
| Nov. 11 | at No. 10 Washington* | TBD |
| Nov. 18 | at Arizona* | TBD |
| Nov. 25 | vs. Colorado* | TBD |
* Pac-12 game
