Miami Vs. Florida Preview: Storylines, Playmakers, And Reasons Why Each Team Wins Saturday

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The oldest college football rivalry in the state of Florida comes back to life Saturday at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.  The Miami Hurricanes and the Florida Gators first met in 1938 with the Canes coming out of the swamp victorious 19-7. In the last meeting, the Canes emerged the victors once again edging the Gators 21-16 in 2013.  

The yearly series ended in 1988 when the Southeastern Conference decided to increase the number of conference games for its members.  Florida decided to use its remaining non-conference games with teams that did not require a home-and-home series and Florida State. Florida was leading the series 25-24 when the yearly series ended, but Miami has won five out of the last six games since.

Florida comes into this years game ranked 8th in the nation coming off a 10-3 season and 41-15 Peach Bowl win over Michigan.  

Miami is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 7-6 season and a deflating 35-3 loss to Wisconsin in the Pinstripe Bowl.  Canes are unranked to start the season in the Associated Press Poll.

Biggest Storylines

Miami will start redshirt freshman Jarren Williams who has one collegiate pass completion to his name.  The former four-star recruit from Georgia won the starting job over last years occasional starter N’kosi Perry and Ohio State transfer Tate Martell.  Canes will also start a true freshman at left tackle to protect the blind side of Williams. Zion Nelson from South Carolina has gained over 50 pounds of muscle in the Canes offseason strength and conditioning program, and will have the task of keeping outstanding defenders Jabari Zuniga and Amari Burnley out of the Miami backfield.  

Miami Head Coach Manny Diaz

First-year head coach Manny Diaz will face his former boss in Florida head coach Dan Mullen.  Diaz served as the defensive coordinator for Mullen at Mississippi State wherein both seasons the Bulldogs finished 9-4.  Mullen is in his second year at Florida and there are lofty expectations for the Gators to compete for an SEC championship this year. The outcome will be perceived as crucial for the trajectory of both programs and battles in recruiting.  Diaz brought in former Alabama offensive coordinator Dan Enos this year who brings a new creative offense different from past offensive regimes.

Offensive coordinator @CoachDanEnos: “He’s an instinctive player,” when describing the starting @CanesFootball QB Jarren Williams. #Canesvsgators Saturday @ 7:00 PM on @espn #CollegeFootball @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/wXCIkFfSgY

— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) August 23, 2019

Playmakers To Watch Miami

K.J. Osborn and Brevin Jordan

The Buffalo transfer Osborn has dazzled in fall camp.  The senior wide receiver is precise in route running and has the speed and strength to make plays all season and on Sundays in the future.

The transfer from Buffalo @KJ_Osborn feels Florida will see a different @CanesFootball team from what they saw on film last year and doesn’t need any type of motivation for game one versus the Gators. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/MihESQnFMI

— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) August 13, 2019

Jordan is keeping the rich tight end tradition alive and well at “The U.”  He has all the intangibles (at 6’3” 245 pounds) of previous tight end greats at the school and is only a true sophomore.  He should be a matchup nightmare for smaller defensive backs.  Jordan has also proven that he can make big catches in big games as he scored the go-ahead touchdown against Florida State last season.

Brevin Jordan, Sophomore Tight End

Other Playmakers To Watch

Jeff Thomas, WR

DeeJay Dallas, RB

Camron Harris, RB

Playmakers To Watch for Florida 

Lamical Perine and Trevon Grimes 

Like an old #22 for the Gators, Emmit Smith, Perine slashes through holes and gets upfield in a hurry.  The senior running back is an All-SEC team candidate and is projected to go in the first or second round of next year’s NFL draft.

The former St. Thomas Aquinas athlete transferred from Ohio State and is now closer to home.  The 6’5” 210-pound receiver Grimes will be a mismatch for most defenders and can play all over the field. A one-on-one matchup with former high school teammate Al Blades Jr. will be a fun one to watch.  

Other Playmakers To Watch

Van Jefferson, WR

Kadarius Toney, WR

Tyrie Cleveland, WR

Miami Wins If…

…they win the turnover battle and minimize the big plays.  When it came to tackles for losses, passes defended and forced fumbles the Canes were the best in the country.  If Miami can disrupt the Gator passing offense (which allowed the least amount of sacks on passing downs at 0.9 percent) forcing sacks, Canes defensive backs can take some chances for interceptions.  Look for veteran linebackers Shaquille Quarterman, Michael Pinkney, and Zach McCloud to pounce on opportunities.   

Ahead of the big game between @CanesFootball and @FloridaGators, senior linebacker @OgBoobie_Shaq talks highly of freshman Sam Brooks and the difference between winning and losing this season. #canesvsgators Saturday night on @espn. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/CNbKJOeiJI

— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) August 22, 2019

Florida Wins If…

…they can rattle the new Canes quarterback and stop the running game.  If the Gators can force Williams in 3rd and long situations this will definitely bode well for Gator Country.  Junior quarterback Felipe Franks (which had the best statistical season in 2018 among Florida quarterbacks since Tim Tebow) will benefit greatly if Florida wins the game of field position.  A short field for Franks to work with will give Florida a tremendous advantage.  The Gators averaged 6.8 yards per play on first down and allowed just 4.8. on defense. The margin (2.0) is seventh in all of college football.  

The Last Time…

The last time Miami opened against Florida, Miami defeated Florida 31-4 in route to their second national championship in 1987.  

The last time Florida defeated Miami was in route to its third national championship in 2008.

Miami leads the all-time series 29-26.  Florida is favored -7 to win.

Prediction

I expect for us all to be surprised of how well Miami converts on third down with Jarren Williams at the helm.  Should be a fairly low scoring game with turnovers being the crucial factor for both sides. I give Miami’s defense the slight edge and the reason they pull off a close upset.

Miami 20 Florida 17

The game officially starts the college football season which is celebrating its 150th year of existence.  Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM eastern on ESPN.