MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The No. 4 Miami Hurricanes will welcome their in-state rival Florida Gators to Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday in one of the most anticipated nonconference matchups of the season.
Miami (3-0) is riding a hot start to 2025, while Florida (1-2) is desperate to get its year back on track after dropping two straight games.
The Hurricanes are fresh off a commanding 49-12 win over then-No. 18 USF, while the Gators fell 20-10 at LSU. Just a week earlier, Florida dropped a stunner at home to USF, 18-16.
Florida is coming off a loss to LSU in Week 3, as quarterback DJ Lagway threw five interceptions and the Gators managed just two scores in the game.
Florida’s defense has been the bright spot compared to its struggling offense, keeping the Gators in games despite being on the field far too often.
That was evident in last week’s loss to LSU, when the unit repeatedly came up with stops only to see the offense falter.
The issue hasn’t been talent — with standouts like Myles Graham and George Gumbs Jr. leading the way — but rather costly mistakes and the lack of support from the other side of the ball.
Now at 1-2, Florida’s road doesn’t get any easier, with Miami this week followed by No. 8 Texas and No. 10 Texas A&M.
History has favored Miami in the rivalry.
The Hurricanes hold a narrow 30-27 edge in the all-time series and have won the last two meetings.
They opened the 2024 season with a 41-17 rout at “The Swamp,” and the last time the teams met at Hard Rock Stadium, in 2013, Miami pulled out a 21-16 victory.
Mario Cristobal, now in his third season at Miami, has a 25-16 record and has gone 13-3 since the start of 2024.
Across the state, Billy Napier has struggled to generate consistent success at Florida, posting a 20-21 mark since being hired in 2022.
His 9-7 record dating back to last season includes an 0-12 mark against ranked opponents on the road.
The Hurricanes have been balanced and efficient to open the season, averaging 40 points per game on offense while holding opponents to just 13.
Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck, once a Florida baseball commitment, has been sharp.
He’s thrown for 812 yards and seven touchdowns, completing nearly 80 percent of his passes (65 of 82). Though he has two interceptions, one came off a deflection, and his comfort in coordinator Shannon Dawson’s offense has been evident.
Beck’s protection has been as steady as it gets.
Tackle Francis Mauigoa, a projected first-round pick, and Anez Cooper have anchored a dominant offensive line that has dictated the tempo.
Miami’s playmakers have emerged as one of the season’s early surprises. LSU transfer CJ Daniels and true freshman Malachi Toney have quickly formed one of the most dangerous receiving duos in the country. Daniels’ highlight grabs and Toney’s explosive consistency have given Beck plenty of options.
On the ground, Mark Fletcher Jr. has powered the running game with 273 yards and four touchdowns through three games. CharMar “Marty” Brown has also complemented Fletcher in the running game by rushing for 126 yards on 31 carries and two scores.
While injuries to Joshisa “JoJo” Trader, Jordan Lyle and others have thinned depth on the Canes offense, receivers Keelan Marion and Joshua Moore have stepped up in a major way. Marion led the Hurricanes with 81 receiving yards, while Moore found the end zone twice against USF in a breakout performance.
The win over the Bulls vaulted Miami into the top four of the AP Top 25 for the first time in eight years — with the Hurricanes even earning first-place votes.
Florida, meanwhile, enters the weekend looking to avoid its first 1-3 start in 39 seasons and intensifying pressure on Napier, whose tenure has yet to deliver the results expected in Gainesville.
Kickoff for Saturday’s game is set for 7:30 p.m.
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