Miami Hurricanes vs
Florida GatorsPredictions & Preview

Miami Hurricanes favored over Florida Gators in highly anticipated season opener showdown

College football enthusiasts can look forward to an exciting intrastate matchup between the 19th-ranked Miami (FL) Hurricanes and the Florida Gators, as they both kick off their seasons with a highly anticipated game. Miami currently holds the betting favorite status with an opening line of -2, which has since shifted to Miami -2.5. The game is set to begin at 3:30 ET at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Hurricanes -140 | Gators +120
• Spread: Hurricanes -2.5 (-110) | Gators +2.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 54 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Miami will win straight-up is 58%.

Miami vs Florida Stats

Miami Hurricanes

Mario Cristobal is entering his third season as head coach of the Miami Hurricanes, aiming to improve upon their underwhelming record of 12-13 in his first two years. The team is projected to have a better season, with odds favoring them to win the ACC title game. Miami boasts the best recruiting class in the ACC and has made key additions through the transfer portal, including experienced QB Cam Ward and WR Colbie Young. The team is strong in multiple areas according to PFF rankings, with top-10 units at running back, wide receiver, offensive line, and defensive line. The defense, under coordinator Lance Guidry, showed promise last season and will be led by sack leader Reuben Bain Jr. Miami currently ranks 39 in offensive power rankings, scoring an average of 31.46 points per game, and 44 in defensive power rankings, allowing an average of 22.77 points per game against them. They have yet to play a game this season.

Florida Gators Analysis

The Florida Gators face a tough schedule in 2024, with eight ranked teams to play and a challenging road game against Mississippi State. Head coach Billy Napier has struggled to establish a winning program in Gainesville, and the team's win total is set at just 4.5. Despite this, Florida boasts a strong offensive line and receiving corps, with quarterback Graham Mertz returning for another season. Mertz had a solid 2023 season and could lead a respectable offense this year. Their defense, however, ranked 85th last year, and coordinator Austin Armstrong faces pressure to improve. Safety Asa Turner has been added to bolster the secondary. The Gators have a power ranking of 71 and are ranked #58 for offense and #76 for defense. In their last three matchups against Miami, Florida holds a 2-1 record.

Under-the-Radar Florida Matchup Holds Key to Big Saturday Games

This upcoming game has not received as much attention as other high-profile matchups scheduled for Saturday. However, I believe it is an important game to watch as two prominent Florida schools will face off. Oddsmakers have set the spread for this game in the 2.5-to-3.0-point range, indicating a competitive matchup. This game serves as a valuable exercise for handicapping future games. Consider which coaching duo you would support - Mario Cristobal and Cam Ward, or Billy Napier and Graham Mertz. In my opinion, the duo from Miami is the better choice. Cam Ward's impressive career statistics demonstrate his ability to lead the team to victory, especially against a weak Florida secondary. In contrast, Mertz's conservative playing style may not be enough to overcome the Hurricanes' defense. Therefore, I recommend supporting Miami in this game for a potentially high-scoring victory.

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