Both of these previously dominant Floridian programs are in the midst of optimistic resurgence. Two (of the many) football programs that are in the discussion of being "back." This will be the 56th meeting between the Gators and 'Canes, and Miami leads the all-time series 29-26. This will be the first time since 2013 that the two have faced off, a game in which Miami won 21-16. In fact, Miami has won five of the last six dating back to 2001, which included the 2004 Peach Bowl and the 2001 Sugar Bowl.
Miami's 2018 season was certainly something they're putting in the rearview, as they finished with a 7-6 record which included a 35-3 loss to Wisconsin in the Pinstripe Bowl. After coaching the 'Canes for three season, Mark Richt retired last December, which led to an unexpected return from Manny Diaz. Diaz had served under Richt as the defensive coordinator, but took the job as Temple's head coach....last December. Manny Diaz was Temple's head coach for 17 days before he returned to the U as their head coach. That is certainly an easier transition for a new head coach than an external hire, so perhaps the 'Canes turnaround can happen quicker than usual. Miami averaged 28.8 points per game last year, and allowed an average of 19.5 points per game, the 18th fewest in college football.
After what seemed to be a quarterback competition between N'Kosi Perry and Ohio State transfer Tate Martell, Miami announced redshirt freshman Jarren Williams to be QB1 for game one. Williams has only appeared briefly in a 77-0 beatdown of Savannah State last season. His play is obviously crucial, as Miami's primary concern lately has been stability under center. The 'Canes now have Dan Enos on staff as offensive coordinator and QB coach, who coached Alabama's quarterbacks last year, which should obviously aid the development of Jarren Williams. Who knows if Perry or Martell could be utilized as well; it has been reported that Tate Martell might take some reps at receiver. Something tells me we haven't heard the last of quarterback controversy for Miami in 2019.
Joining Williams in Miami's backfield is a deep running back corps, led by junior Deejay Dallas. In his sophomore season, Dallas averaged 5.7 yards per carry, totaling 617 yards and six touchdowns. He also did some serious damage in the special teams department, returning 17 kicks for a total of 367 yards (21.6 yards per return), and averaged 17.4 yards on 11 punt returns, including one he took 65 yards to the house against Pitt. He likely will be sharing carries with a few guys, including sophomore Lorenzo Lingard, whose 2018 season was ended early by a leg injury. Lingard was the No. 2 running back in his recruiting class. Also expect sophomore Cam'ron Harris to be in the mix, who averaged 5.9 yards on 28 carries last year.
A few other names to look out for on Miami's offensive side of the ball: KJ Osborn just transferred in from Buffalo after putting up 53 catches for 492 yards and four touchdowns in 2018. The 'Canes also have sophomore tight end Brevin Jordan, who earned second-team All-ACC honors by reeling in 32 catches for 287 yards and four touchdowns. He was the top tight end in his recruiting class.
Miami's defense has certainly been the main contributor to their recent stock increase, and is deservedly getting most of the shine in this preseason hype. They have a very talented and experienced group of linebackers: senior Shaq Quarterman will be drafted next spring; the All-ACC first-teamer recorded 82 tackles (45 solo, 37 assisted) with 14 of them being for loss, and six sacks. Shaq also had six QB hurries, two pass breakups, and a pick. He's joined by fellow seniors Zach McCloud (44 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss) and Michael Pinckney (74 tackles, 11 for loss, 1 INT).
The Gators are coming off a successful first season with their new head coach Dan Mullen (had previously served as offensive coordinator for Florida from 2005-2008), finishing 10-3 with a strong showing in the Peach Bowl, where they absolutely throttled Michigan 41-15. Add that to the list of big games Jim Harbaugh has not won. Florida's three losses in 2018 came to Kentucky, Georgia, and least understandably, Mizzou. On average they scored 35 points per game, which was the 22nd most nationwide, and their defense allowed 20 points per game (20th best in the country).
The Gators' offense is led by redshirt junior QB Feleipe Franks who, in 2018, completed 58.4% of his 322 throws for 2,457 yards and 24 touchdowns. Franks only threw six picks on the year. He also ran for a total of 350 yards and seven touchdowns. Franks has a good bunch of experienced targets to throw to this year; redshirt senior Van Jefferson totaled 35 receptions for 503 yards and six touchdowns last season. Senior Tyrie Cleveland caught 18 balls for 212 yards and three touchdowns. In his junior campaign, Josh Hammond tallied 28 catches for 369 yards and four touchdowns. The chemistry between these top three and Feleipe Franks should do them some favors against a fierce Miami defense.
Saturday night's rivalry renewal will feature not one, but two, disruptive defensive units. The Gators boast a ridiculous cornerback tandem in CJ Henderson and Marco Wilson. Wilson tore his ACL early last season, but put up good numbers the previous year as a freshman with 34 tackles and ten pass breakups. Henderson, a junior, is widely considered one of the best corners in college football after he had 38 tackles (five for loss, three sacks), seven pass breakups, two picks, and two forced fumbles last year. The Gators' defensive line is anchored by Jabari Zuniga, who is projected to be drafted into the NFL after this final season in Gainesville. In 2018, Zuniga recorded 45 tackles (eleven for loss, 6.5 sacks) and four QB hurries.
As I write this, the Gators are currently favored by 7.5 points, and I do think they'll not only come out on top, but I think they'll cover the spread. The first few games of the season are obviously the most difficult to predict, as everything is based off of speculation. But at the end of the day, I feel much more confident in the spot that Florida is in as a program than I do with Miami. I trust Dan Mullen more than I trust Manny Diaz. Florida has the edge in the momentum department, if that even plays a factor this many months later. Miami's recent improvement is undoubtable, but let's remember that they've been certainly short of dominant in the ACC Coastal, of all divisions.
The 'Canes had a tough go last year, as I said before it's just nothing to boast about or feel proud of. They did have an extremely hot start in 2017, winning their first ten games. That included consecutively beating up on both ranked Virginia Tech (28-10) and Notre Dame (41-8). They lost their last three games of that season: 24-14 to Pitt, 38-3 in the ACC Championship to Clemson, and 34-24 to Wisconsin in the Orange Bowl. Do those two good wins in November two years ago really skip over 2018's mediocre season (again, in the ACC Coastal) and carry over to this Saturday night? The U still hasn't really convinced me. Florida isn't a national contender, but Dan Mullen has proven that they're turning things around and I trust that they'll prove to be the better team on Saturday.
Plus, if we're talking Gainesville vs. Miami, Tom Petty over Pitbull all day.
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