Howie Kussoy, aka the Pigskin Profit, makes a pick the host Utah Utes and the Florida Gators on Thursday night.

We open Week 1 of the college football season with Florida vs. Utah as the Utes look to stomp the Gators back to their swamp in Gainesville.

They upset the Utes last season, but don’t be so sure that the same fate will come their way tonight.

The game will be televised on ESPN at 8 p.m.

Cam Rising’s likely absence lowers the Utes’ ceiling, but the strengths of the reigning Pac-12 champs extend far beyond their star.

Backup quarterback Bryson Barnes has performed admirably in emergency duty and should fare even better with the knowledge he’ll be playing — supported by an elite offensive line and ground game.

Florida’s oft-erratic Graham Mertz should implode against a high-end defense in Salt Lake City, where the Utes haven’t lost in nearly three years.