Miami Hurricanes vs Florida Gators: Predictions, Odds, and Roster Notes

Contributors

Updated October 14, 2022

6 min read

How to Watch

Where: Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL

When: Saturday, August 24th at 7 pm EST

How (TV): ESPN

Miami Hurricanes (Away)

Closer. #BeatUF pic.twitter.com/qjecARNNf1

— Canes Football (@CanesFootball) August 21, 2019

Head Coach: Manny Diaz{All-Time: 0-0 | MIA}

Regular Season Record (2018): 6-6

The U will begin a new era after the unexpected retirement of head coach Mark Richt. Richt’s replacement and previous defensive coordinator, Manny Diaz will take over with his first game at the helm against his former boss at Mississippi State, Dan Mullen.

Diaz enters this game having tabbed redshirt freshman Jarren Williams as his starting quarterback over incumbent starter N’Kosi Perry and Ohio State transfer Tate Martell. Williams will look to add life to a Miami attack that ranked 66th in points per game and also averaged just 167.3 yards passing yards per game. DeeJay Dallas could ease the burden on the young quarterback, as the junior running back will take the lions share of carries out of the backfield.

On the other side of the ball, the Canes should once again field a strong, Turnover Chain fuelled defense, which will be anchored by their senior-laden linebacker corps that includes Shaq Quarterman, Zach McCloud, and Michael Pinckney.

Check out also: Miami Hurricanes Team Preview 2019

Florida Gators (Home)

Head Coach: Dan Mullen{All-Time: 79-49 | MSST, FLA}

Regular Season Record (2018): 9-3

The eighth-ranked Florida Gators enter 2019 after a promising beginning to coach Dan Mullen’s tenure in Gainesville. After their 10-3 overall finish, Florida will have their eyes set on unseating Alabama for SEC supremacy with several key returning starters.

Redshirt junior quarterback, Feleipe Franks will be taking snaps behind center once again, with top receivers Josh Hammond and Van Jefferson back in Orange and Blue. Franks will also have the luxury of handing off to senior running back Lamical Perine, but he will have to do it behind an offensive line that features only one returning starter in center Nick Buchanan.

The defense should strike fear in opponents once again, especially against a Miami team breaking in a virtually fresh face at quarterback. Defensive end Jabari Zuniga will look to get Jarren Williams on the ground early and often, while junior corner C.J. Henderson should be a disruptive force in the secondary.

All-Time Series

The Hurricanes currently hold a 29-26 lead over the Gators, with the two schools last meeting up in the 2013 season. That game took place early in that season at The Swamp, with Miami coming out on top 21-16. Some notable NFL players from that game include Duke Johnson and Allen Hurns from Miami, as well as Trey Burton and Vernon Hargreaves III from Florida.

Miami Roster Notes

QB Tate Martell practiced with the wide receivers on August 21st, which suggests the former Buckeye could be making a position switch or will be used in special packages.

Sophomore defensive tackle Nesta Silvera is out indefinitely with a foot injury and is not expected back until mid-season.

Florida Roster Notes

Redshirt junior right tackle Jean DeLance is currently questionable with a leg injury according to Thomas Goldkamp of Swamp247.

Junior nose tackle Kyree Campbell is listed as day-to-day with a groin injury according to Thomas Goldkamp of Swamp247.

Head-to-Head: Jeff Thomas (MIA) vs C.J. Henderson (FLA)

The matchup to pay attention to in this game will be between a pair of stud athletes on the outside, as Miami’s top receiver, Jeff Thomas, will line up against an All-American candidate in cornerback C.J. Henderson. The winner of this battle could tip the scales in favor of their respective teams.

Jeff Thomas

Wide Receiver | 5-10, 180lb | East St. Louis HS | East St. Louis, IL | Junior

2018 Stats: 35 Receptions | 563 Rec Yards | 3 Rec TD

After nearly transferring to Illinois to be closer to home, Thomas is back in Coral Gables in search of a breakout season that could attract attention from NFL scouts. Thomas has proven that he can step up against the top competition, as evidenced by his 132-yard performance in last season’s opener against LSU, where he was often matched up against current NFL corner, Greedy Williams.

C.J. Henderson

Cornerback | 6-1, 202lb | Christopher Columbus HS | Miami, FL | Junior

2018 Stats: 38 Total Tackles | 3.0 Sacks | 5.0 TFL | 2 INT

.@jimthorpeaward Watch List:

? @HendersonChris_

Details: https://t.co/L16n1zpQj0 #GatorStandard #DBU pic.twitter.com/lLYY4hiKU4

— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) July 22, 2019

Like Thomas, C.J. Henderson is more than capable of rising to the occasion in big games. His Peach Bowl performance against Michigan is a prime example, as he made life tough on quarterback Shea Patterson by sacking him on a corner blitz while keeping receivers Nico Collins and Donovan Peoples-Jones in check. With his big 6 foot 1 frame and solid ball skills, NFL scouts will be salivating Henderson all season long.

Miami vs Florida – Predictions and Odds

If you are in New Jersey you can bet on the NCAAF game between Miami and Florida on 888Sport, BetStars, and playMGM. DraftKings also offers special odds for the match. Check out all the latest odds for the game, below. Good luck!