Both Florida and No. 19 Miami are feeling the pressure entering this season as the Sunshine State rivals open the 2024 college football campaign by meeting for the first time since 2019 in a high-stakes showdown Saturday in Gainesville, Florida. Third-year coaches Billy Napier (Florida) and Mario Cristobal (Miami) are each below .500 so far in their tenures after entering as celebrated hires following the 2021 season, and each could use marquee early-season wins to build momentum.
Progress is expected, but nothing will come easy for either squad. The Gators face what appears to be the nation's toughest schedule and should feel a sense of urgency to defend their home field in a nonconference game. The Hurricanes' slate isn't quite as daunting, but Miami must battle sky-high expectations. Despite going just 7-6 last season, the 'Canes are expected to compete for a College Football Playoff bid and the ACC title.
Both teams signed top-10 transfer classes in the 247Sports Team Rankings to help expedite their rebuilds. But there is no time to ease in the newcomers. Week 1 is here, and only one team is going to enter Week 2 feeling good about the direction of its season. The time for moral victories has dissipated for two proud programs needing Year 3 progress under their coaches.
LIVE UPDATES: Follow along live as Florida clashes with Miami in a rivalry showdown
How to watch Florida vs. Miami live
Date: Saturday, Aug. 31 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium -- Gainesville, Florida
TV: ABC | Live stream: fubo (Try for free)
Florida vs. Miami: Need to know
Ready to rock: Is Miami's ballyhooed haul of potential transfers ready to rock? Cristobal thinks so. Here's how he described the group on Monday: "Some really highly talented, high-caliber, high care factor guys that can be impactful and have made essentially seamless transitions." The headliner is quarterback Cam Ward, who threw for 3,736 yards and 25 touchdowns with another eight rushing scores on the ground last season. Others such as running back Damien Martinez (Oregon State) and edge rusher Tyler Baron (Tennessee) also need to pop immediately for the 'Canes.
Home run threats? Florida quarterback Graham Mertz enjoyed a resurgence in his first season with the Gators last year after an up-and-down four seasons at Wisconsin. But he ranked 92nd nationally in pass attempts that traveled 20 or more yards through the air. With top downfield target Ricky Pearsall gone to the NFL, can the Gators quickly identify someone else to provide big plays in the passing game? One candidate is sophomore receiver Eugene Wilson III, who caught 61 passes as a true freshman but averaged just 8.8 yards per reception. Producive veteran transfers Chimere Dike (Wisconsin) and Elijah Badger (Arizona State) have also joined the mix. If either can add some juice to the Gators' passing attack, it will help Florida be more dynamic offensively.
Last meeting: The last time these teams met was in the 2019 season opener, when the script was flipped. Florida was the team entering with lofty expectations, while the Hurricanes came in without much fanfare. The Gators were coming off a 10-3 season and Peach Bowl victory and tabbed with a No. 8 preseason ranking. The Hurricanes were in their first season under coach Manny Diaz and unranked. But it was a battle to the end as the Gators squeaked out a 24-20 victory to begin an 11-2 season capped by an Orange Bowl win. The 'Canes finished 6-7 with a loss in the Independence Bowl.
Florida vs. Miami prediction, picks
If there's a place to exploit Miami, it's likely in the secondary after the Hurricanes lost three NFL Draft picks from their defensive backfield. However, downfield passing was not Florida's strength last season, and there's no reason to believe that will change in Week 1. The 'Canes are rock solid up front on both sides of the ball and should be able to emerge as the more physical team in a relatively even matchup. Pick: Miami -2.5
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