CORAL GABLES, FL – We’re just days away from the start of the college football season and what better way to get things rolling then renewing an old rivalry between the Miami Hurricanes and Florida Gators. The 2019 Camping World Kickoff in Orlando, Florida reunites the Gators and ‘Canes for the first time since 2013 and is expected to get this season started with a bang.
The Hurricanes head into this game as the underdog, a team with a new Head Coach in Manny Diaz looking to make his mark on the college football scene. A win against the Gators would certainly go a long way toward building a legacy in Coral Gables but also risk the deflating loss that reflects last season’s opener to LSU.
This ‘Canes team’s strength is on the defensive side of the ball led by 2nd Team Preseason All-American linebacker Shaquille Quarterman. Quarterman returns for his senior season with fellow senior linebackers Zach McCloud and Michael Pinckney that make up a front seven that should really be able to put teams under pressure all season. Between the experience of the linebackers and the talent up front with defensive end, Jon Garvin stepping up big time this spring it should be difficult for the Gators to get a consistent run game and put pressure on quarterback Feleipe Franks.
On offense, Miami is led by recently announced starting quarterback Jarren Williams who won the job over transfer Tate Martell and last seasons starter N’Kosi Perry. Williams has only 3 career pass attempts in college as a redshirt freshman so there’s a lot of question marks surrounding what we will see out of this Miami offense. The ‘Canes do have favorable weapons on offense so we could see some explosive plays out of Jeff Thomas, KJ Osborn and tight end Brevin Jordan creating mismatches. Florida historically plays very strong defense but one miscue and these weapons for the ‘Canes can make things happen fast.
The Florida Gators ranked No. 8 in the preseason polls enter another season of high expectations. A win against an old rival like Miami would help Dan Mullen build on a season in which the Gators feel like they can take the next step. Shoot, they even have Tim Tebow giving a pregame speech to the team.
Building off a very strong defense for the Gators led by defensive linemen Jabari Zuniga and corner CJ Henderson, they will look to shut down this Miami offense with an inexperienced quarterback behind center. Gators quarterback Feleipe Franks looks to take the next step in 2019 but will have a tough time against the pressure Miami brings.
Hurricanes Head Coach Manny Diaz has his sights set on Saturday night and thinks that this is going to be a slugfest between the two teams
“It’s simple – it’s a competitive fight.” Said Diaz about the game. “That’s the whole deal. It’s going to be a highly emotional night. Both teams will be supremely motivated to play against each other. Who can keep their competitive will through adversity? Because it’s going to be a night with all kinds of adversity, for both sides. And that’s why it’s about finding the right mix of guys that don’t blink in that setting. That’s what we have to go back and study this film and find out who are the guys that will fight their way off the ropes. I think both teams are going to land some blows. When you get put on the ropes, you have to fight your way out of it.”
The big key to the game is the play of both quarterbacks. If Jarren Williams can avoid making the big mistake I think it could keep the ‘Canes in the game but at some point, Miami’s offense is going to have to spark something. On the other side, Feleipe Franks just has to avoid making the big mistake, Florida has enough talent to keep them ahead without Franks doing too much and even one big mistake could change the tide of this entire game.
I see this being a really tight game with Florida just edging out Miami 24-20.
Be sure to tune in Saturday at 7:00 PM/ET as the Miami Hurricanes take on the No. 8 Florida Gators at Camping World Stadium in Orlando for the 2019 Camping World Kickoff. The game will be LIVE on ESPN.
- Written by: Darrell Wilkinson TheSkyBoat.com
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