Billy Napier and the Gators have one of the toughest opening games this season when they travel to Utah to take on a Pac-12 power. Of course, last year the Gators opened the Napier era with a notable win over Utah in The Swamp.

After Utah finished No. 10 in the final Associated Press poll, the program’s highest final ranking since the 2008 season, the Utes are going for a third straight Pac-12 title.

The game will be on a Thursday, Aug. 31, and Napier recalled that when he was on the Arizona State staff, the Sun Devils played at Utah so he has some familiarity.

“Got a ton of respect for their program, the brand of football they play,” Napier said. “It’s less about where we’re playing and more about their brand of football. There’s no question they’re one of the more established and successful programs in the country.”

Napier added that the Gators spent a lot of time this offseason to research the altitude and communicated with NFL teams about it.

“We’ve got a good plan, all that’s already mapped out and ready to go,” Napier said. “It’s going to be a great challenge and one that we look forward to.”