Aug 303 min read

Miami Travels to 'The Swamp' for the First Time Since 2008

Florida Gators | Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (1) — © Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun/USA TODAY NETWORK

No. 19 Miami leads the series against in-state rival Florida 29-27. These schools play Florida State every season, but this matchup is rare with only seven matchups since 2001. The Hurricanes will face the Gators at 3:30 p.m. EST on Aug. 31 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, also known as "The Swamp."

Miami is coming into 2024 with high expectations in head coach Mario Cristobal's third season. Head coach Billy Napier is looking to secure his job at Florida after two losing seasons.

What's at Stake?

Miami looks to take control in a wide-open Atlantic Coast Conference after Georgia Tech upset Florida State 24-21 in Dublin, Ireland. The Hurricanes brought transfers Cam Ward from Washington State and Damien Martinez from Oregon State in to play. They come from the remaining Pac-12 Conference schools. This road game is about as much of a must-win as there can be for Miami on Week 1 of the season against a Power Four Southeastern Conference school. The Hurricanes want to prove that they are an ACC title and playoff contender.

Florida has had some down seasons to the Gators' standards. A loss to Miami here will pressure Napier and the staff to correct things before SEC play starts. The SEC title is out of reach for this team, but a competitive winning season is not. Quarterback Graham Mertz will be in Year 2 at Florida. He will need to improve even more after the Gators were ranked 47th in total offense in 2023.

Key Players: Florida

Offensive: Mertz. In 2023, he threw for 2,903 yards, 20 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. The sixth-year senior returns for another chance to get the Gators back to their winning ways. The 6-foot-3, 216-pound QB is the heart and soul of the Florida offense. The Gators are looking to replace outstanding wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. The Gators will need Mertz at his best against Miami to have a chance to win.

Defensive: Free safety Jordan Castell. The sophomore is the returning tackler to this team with 60 tackles and 1 interception in 2023. The Hurricanes will test the Florida secondary and Castell will need to make plays to slow down Miami QB Cam Ward and Co. After a solid freshman season, the Florida defense needs him to improve and take a leadership role to go up from last season's 69th-place ranking in total defense.

Key Players: Miami

Offensive: Ward. The fifth-year transfer QB had 3,735 yards, 25 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in 2023. Ward is replacing Tyler Van Dyke under center this season. Van Dyke threw for 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season.

Miami struggled last season at the QB position and brought Ward in to help the offense become more consistent in 2024. Ward is an electric player who is a must-see player anytime the Hurricanes play.

Defensive: Linebacker Francisco Mauigoa. Last season, Mauigoa had 82 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 1 interception and 2 forced fumbles to lead the Hurricanes' defense. The senior linebacker is one of the best in the country at his position. Miami will need a huge day out of him to stuff the Gators' running attack and slow down Mertz in the passing game. He will be all over the field on Saturdays for Miami.

Trends to Watch

Will Miami live up to expectations this season? It is not very often you get a power matchup this early. Miami will look to see if all the work it did in the Transfer Portal this spring will be enough to get them over the hump in the ACC.

Florida has to make some strides forward to get Napier off the hot seat. They have the experience at the QB position. RB Montrell Johnson Jr. is coming back as well. The defense is more experienced this season but let's see if it pays off on the field.