Florida’s reward for 2 consecutive embarrassing losses is a trip to Miami Gardens to take on the Hurricanes.  Miami is ranked inside the Top 5 and has looked the part, already scoring 2 ranked wins over Notre Dame and – LOL – blowing out South Florida.  By the transitive property, this game shouldn’t be close, but that’s why they play the games. 

Miami’s offense is led by resurgent QB Carson Beck, who looks nothing like the lost turnover machine he became at Georgia last season.  He has quality weapons at his disposal including RB Mark Fletcher and WRs CJ Daniels and Malachi Toney.  But the engine for the offense is a quality O-line led by OTs Francis Mauigoa and Samson Okunlola.  Head coach Mario Cristobal will never be considered an adequate game day coach, but he knows how to build and coach his O-line.  Their attack is balanced and actually utilizes the entire field – what a novel concept.  The Florida defense will be challenged at all 3 levels, and will have to be even better than it has been to date to help try and pull off the upset.  The loss of DT Caleb Banks puts more pressure on an inexperienced DT rotation that will have to force a stalemate at the LOS often enough to allow the back seven to make plays.  Somehow, someway, the defense has to give the Gator offense as many possessions as possible, just like last week……and hope for the best.  I believe the secondary can hold up and matches up well with Miami’s passing game.  If the pass rush can get pressure on Beck, he could revert back to his sloppy play of 2024.  But how long can the defense keep holding up while the offense sputters and sucks the life out of the team?  

Speaking of the offense……who knows what ingenious game plan Napier will devise this week?  Perhaps he’ll realize that the ball ain’t heavy, and feed Jaden Baugh early and often – or not.  Perhaps he’ll run more play-action with max protection and give DJ Lagway easier reads and throws – or not.  Perhaps the WR corps will finally stand up and make plays beyond VB3 – or not.  Perhaps the O-line will start playing sound football – or not.  Miami’s secondary has some weaknesses, and can be exploited by a competent game plan and passing scheme, which really hasn’t been seen in 41 games.  I’m tired of trying to predict what the attack will look like at this point.  I just have to hope beyond hope that between a stellar defensive effort and some unexpected playmaking from the offense that Florida can steal a win.  The entire offensive group needs to respond to the criticism and play angry, despite the head coach apparently being incapable of either.

For some reason ESPN/ABC has decided to feature the Gators on it’s prime time telecast again.  Maybe they are looking to pick up the “watching a car accident” crowd, as this could possibly be Napier’s last stand (sadly, I doubt it).  On paper, Florida has a decent chance, and I wouldn’t be shocked by an upset win.  But, at this point, I’d be surprised.  This rivalry goes back a long way, and it still means a lot to the older generation of fans for each team.  It will be a hostile, nasty environment Saturday night, even with a solid contingent of Florida fans in attendance.  I just hope those Gator fans aren’t leaving in the 3rd quarter.

Prediction:

Miami 34

Florida 17