Good teams and programs succeed.No. 14 Utah defeated Florida 24-11 without senior Cam Rising, who hasn't been medically cleared following a knee injury in last year's Rose Bowl loss to Penn State.
Backup quarterback Bryson Barnes passed for 159 yards and two scores, one on the ground.
Rising is essential as the Utes try to return to a New Year's Six bowl.
Utah travels to Baylor, one of the few Power Five teams to play several Power Five teams in non-conference play.
Barnes' performance shows the Utes' depth and experience, which helped them win two Pac-12 titles.
Utah's notoriously strong run defense limited Florida just 13 running yards on 21 carries.
That put Wisconsin transfer Graham Merz in charge, who completed 31 of 44 passes for 333 yards and a touchdown with an interception.
The Gators won't recover from two straight losses if Mertz has to carry them.