Recreation Preview: Florida Gators at Miami Hurricanes

The Miami Hurricanes host the Florida Gators on September twentieth, kickoff time TBD. That is the second sport of a home-and-home collection. The Canes whooped the Gators within the 2024 season-opener, 41-17. I used to be there, and it was superior. Sadly, I believe I will likely be watching this 12 months’s sport at dwelling. Have you ever seen the ticket costs?! They’re actually costly!

Billy Napier’s squad completed 8-5 final season after profitable their final three common season video games, plus the Union House Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl over Tulane. That’s a mouthful. Florida’s season-ending profitable streak got here in opposition to #21 LSU, #9 Ole Miss, and rival FSU. Spectacular. The Gators return five-star QB DJ Lagway to run their offense. Some folks aren’t offered on him but. Personally, I believe he seems to be like a beast at instances and am barely fearful of what he’s able to.

Canes followers know all too nicely how final season ended. But, after dropping QB Cam Ward to the NFL, Coach Cristobal did nicely in bringing in former Georgia sign caller Carson Beck to take over. I’m within the optimistic camp for Miami’s offense this season. Beck was damage for a lot of 2024, plus his receivers let him down with approach too many drops. The Canes’ O-line and working sport must be simply pretty much as good, if not barely higher than final 12 months. They need to even be an improve from Georgia’s, which is a loopy factor to say. It’s as much as Miami’s go catchers to step up on that facet of the ball.

Florida Gators

As talked about, the Gators convey again their prized recruit in Lagway. They misplaced seven gamers to the 2025 NFL Draft, plus a whopping 23 to the switch portal. Most notably, EDGE Justus Boone, who left for Arkansas, and DL D’Antre Robinson to UNC. Coach Billy Napier did convey within the #9 recruiting class for 2025, in addition to six transfers. Contemplating how their season began, that could be a nice restoration by Napier and his workers. Florida is leaning on home-grown expertise contemplating the disparity in transfers.

Past Lagway and some different guys, I don’t know a lot in regards to the 2025 Florida Gators’ roster and total expertise. Being in that I’m in my 40s, have a full time job and a two-year outdated son, I really feel like that’s allowed.

Having mentioned all the above, I can’t think about this not being a detailed sport. Billy Napier and his guys are going to need revenge for a way Miami dominated them in The Swamp final September. Lagway is Napier’s greatest and most prized recruit since he took over in Gainesville. If he’s pretty much as good as his recruiting rating was, he’s going to do some injury to Miami’s protection, each on the bottom and within the air. I actually do assume the sport comes right down to how Lagway performs. He converts a number of massive third downs mixed with some lengthy runs and deep completions, the Gators win. He’s underneath constant strain and has to make fast selections on throws, the Canes win.

Picture by Samuel Lewis/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photographs

Miami Hurricanes

We all know in regards to the offense and what must be changed. Let’s discuss in regards to the protection. (Deep sigh). Watching former DC Lance Guidry’s unit final season was about as pleasing as sticking toothpicks in my eyes. Fortunately, adjustments have been made. Coach Cristobal introduced in Minnesota DC Corey Hetherman, plus a number of high-end defensive again transfers. Charles Brantley, Xavier Lucas, and Zechariah Poyser ought to make speedy impacts on the again finish. Miami has some massive names on their defensive position, let’s hope their manufacturing matches the hype. Reuben Bain Jr. could make himself some huge cash this season. If he can keep wholesome and put up the numbers he’s able to, he will likely be a prime choose within the 2026 NFL Draft.

One identify not being talked about as usually as an influence switch on protection is linebacker Mohamed Toure from Rutgers. Toure didn’t play final season attributable to a knee harm. He did rack up 93 tackles, 9.5 TFL, and 4.5 sacks in 2023. What makes Toure a good higher match is his familiarity with Hetherman. Miami’s new DC coached Toure at Rutgers for his breakout season.

General, I just like the expertise on the 2025 Hurricanes’ roster. Clearly, the transfers on protection must hit for that unit to have a profitable season. I’m excited in regards to the working sport with Mark Fletcher Jr., Jordan Lyle, and CharMar Brown. I believe TE Elijah Lofton goes to be a playmaker. My solely concern is at huge receiver. The expertise appears to be there, we simply must see it on the sphere in opposition to actual competitors.

Picture by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photographs

Lastly, I’m curious to see if Miami’s crowd will have an effect on Lagway and the Gators as a complete. Cam Ward and the Canes weren’t bothered within the least by the group in Gainesville final 12 months. Cam mentioned as a lot after the sport. I also can verify it from being there, the group was not loud. If Miami is 3-0 going into this sport, Arduous Rock Stadium goes to be nuts for the Gators on September twentieth. I positive hope it’s a 7:30 PM kickoff.

Prediction: I’ll by no means choose the Gators over the Canes. Ever. Truthfully although, I believe this will likely be a detailed matchup, with the winner being the crew that makes fewer errors: turnovers, dumb penalties, dropped passes, and so forth. Miami by a discipline objective.

GO CANES!