Gainesville, FL- Football is back! And that’s a very good thing. Excited to be on an SEC campus to take in some nationally-televised college football in the first full weekend of action for this beloved sport. The Miami Hurricanes visit the Florida Gators today and the significance of this game’s outcome is buried in the foundation of what both storied programs have established over generations.
Each looks to return to prominence. The Gators have had the most recent national success, its most recent national championship coming in 2008, which was proceeded just a few years earlier by a national championship in 2006, they own three titles overall. Miami’s last of their five national championships came in 2001.
Both head coaches, Miami’s Mario Cristobol and especially Florida’s Billy Napier have a significant amount of pressure coming into this season for similar reasons. Program expectations are to compete for national titles and conference championships. There’s been little of that on both sides lately. However, today can be the catalyst for a big move in that direction.
What's at stake?
Bragging rights! Need anything else be said? Both programs need a win in order to gain traction in-state with recruiting, prestige and all the normal reasons you want to beat an opponent that looks like you. Miami would look great beating an SEC team in week 1, it hasn’t happened lately. Florida has to win the game based on the most difficult schedule in the country. Miami isn’t the only tough team they get at home. If they should lose, where do wins come from? Home slates with Texas A&M, Kentucky, and LSU and Ole Miss in back-to-back weeks don’t seem fair. Conversely, the Hurricanes have spared no expense in off-season talent acquisition to upgrade their roster. Does that faucet stay on if the Hurricanes don’t win big this season? Would see necessary to start impressing donors out of the gate.
TE Cam McCormick, one of the most tenured NCAA football player with the TD reception for Miami. #Canes strike first from inside 10 to score. XP is good, 7-0 Miami 6:48 left in Q1 11 plays, 84 yards, 5+ mins off clock. #hotbedworld @footballhotbed
— Brandon Odoi (@Brandon_Odoi) August 31, 2024
cam ward is a difference maker for miami
Have a difference maker at quarterback is a luxury the University of Miami hasn’t enjoyed in quite some time. Cam Ward is just that, a difference maker. He’s poised, deliberate, competitive and athletic. He makes more plays for Miami than anyone at the position in a generation. Florida isn’t a bad team. Miami’s just a good team. Or so it appears after just a few short quarters into the season.
Recent Comments