Matchup - This might have been far more interesting last season, but while this might not be the Hawaii team that went to the Sugar Bowl, it should still be good enough to give Florida a bit of a fight. The Warriors are looking to prove that the debacle against Georgia was an aberration, and that there's life after Colt Brennan and June Jones. The Greg McMackin era can't start out worse than the Jones reign ended, and it won't if his defense has improved as expected.

- Florida has an interesting start to the year, dealing with the defending WAC champion first before hosting Miami next week. There are question marks on the defense, especially up front, but Hawaii won't provide much of a test for the run D. Instead, the abysmal pass defense of last season will get a chance to show right away if things have improved.

Hawaii: The defense takes a big hit as key reserve DT Rocky Savaiigaea (torn triceps) and starting OLB Blaze Soares (torn calf muscle) will each miss the first few games with injuries. Soares, in particular, was going to be counted on for his game-changing, big-play ability and as a possible interior pass rusher to get to Tebow.

Florida: The injury bug has bitten the Gators hard, losing a few promising reserves and star TE Cornelius Ingram. After coming close to turning pro early, Ingram decided to return for his senior year at the last second. Big mistake. He suffered a torn ACL in a non-contact drill and is out for the year. Although Ingram is eligible for to apply for a medical redshirt following the season, he will focus his attention on rehabbing for the NFL Combine, bringing his career with the Gators to an end.

Hawaii has to ... get chucking. The pass protection will be the biggest key, especially with memories of the Sugar Bowl still dancing in everyone's head. But even if Florida is able to get into the backfield, the Warriors' passing game has to be the Warriors' passing game and bomb away for at least 400 yards. The Florida secondary should be better, but it's still an X-factor.

Florida has to ... force Hawaii to punt. The Warriors didn't have to do it often last season, but punting was a big problem when they had to. Thanks to Brandon James, the Gators' return game is among the best in America. Florida could get at least one score off of special teams.

Keep an eye on ... The QB situation. Everyone thought that the inside track to the starting QB position was held by Tyler Graunke, who started and won two games last year for an injured Colt Brennan. Graunke was suspended for part of the spring and then was suspended again to start fall camp with academic issues. JC transfer Brent Rausch was named the starter, but Greg Alexander and Inoke Funaki could also see snaps.

The glaring stat: Florida was dead last in the SEC in pass defense, giving up 259 yards per game, while Hawaii averaged 439 passing yards per game.

And my prediction is ... Florida 55, Hawaii 20