The Canes are looking for another September win against their other in-state rival.
The Miami Hurricanes host the Florida Gators on September 20th, kickoff time TBD. This is the second game of a home-and-home series. The Canes whooped the Gators in the 2024 season-opener, 41-17. I was there, and it was awesome. Sadly, I think I will be watching this year’s game at home. Have you seen the ticket prices?! They’re really expensive!
Billy Napier’s squad finished 8-5 last season after winning their last three regular season games, plus the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl over Tulane. That’s a mouthful. Florida’s season-ending winning streak came against #21 LSU, #9 Ole Miss, and rival FSU. Impressive. The Gators return five-star QB DJ Lagway to run their offense. Some people aren’t sold on him yet. Personally, I think he looks like a beast at times and am slightly terrified of what he’s capable of.
Canes fans know all too well how last season ended. Yet, after losing QB Cam Ward to the NFL, Coach Cristobal did well in bringing in former Georgia signal caller Carson Beck to take over. I am in the optimistic camp for Miami’s offense this season. Beck was hurt for much of 2024, plus his receivers let him down with way too many drops. The Canes’ O-line and running game should be just as good, if not slightly better than last year. They should also be an upgrade from Georgia’s, which is a crazy thing to say. It’s up to Miami’s pass catchers to step up on that side of the ball.
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Florida Gators
As mentioned, the Gators bring back their prized recruit in Lagway. They lost seven players to the 2025 NFL Draft, plus a whopping 23 to the transfer portal. Most notably, EDGE Justus Boone, who left for Arkansas, and DL D’Antre Robinson to UNC. Coach Billy Napier did bring in the #9 recruiting class for 2025, as well as six transfers. Considering how their season started, that is a great recovery by Napier and his staff. Florida is leaning on home-grown talent considering the disparity in transfers.
Beyond Lagway and a few other guys, I don’t know much about the 2025 Florida Gators’ roster and overall talent. Being in that I am in my 40s, have a full time job and a two-year old son, I feel like that is allowed.
Having said all of the above, I can’t imagine this not being a close game. Billy Napier and his guys are going to want revenge for how Miami dominated them in The Swamp last September. Lagway is Napier’s best and most prized recruit since he took over in Gainesville. If he is as good as his recruiting ranking was, he is going to do some damage to Miami’s defense, both on the ground and in the air. I really do think the game comes down to how Lagway plays. He converts several big third downs combined with some long runs and deep completions, the Gators win. He is under consistent pressure and has to make quick decisions on throws, the Canes win.
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Miami Hurricanes
We know about the offense and what needs to be replaced. Let’s talk about the defense. (Deep sigh). Watching former DC Lance Guidry’s unit last season was about as enjoyable as sticking toothpicks in my eyes. Thankfully, changes have been made. Coach Cristobal brought in Minnesota DC Corey Hetherman, plus several high-end defensive back transfers. Charles Brantley, Xavier Lucas, and Zechariah Poyser should make immediate impacts on the back end. Miami has some big names on their defensive line, let’s hope their production matches the hype. Reuben Bain Jr. can make himself a lot of money this season. If he can stay healthy and put up the numbers he’s capable of, he will be a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
One name not being mentioned as often as an impact transfer on defense is linebacker Mohamed Toure from Rutgers. Toure didn’t play last season due to a knee injury. He did rack up 93 tackles, 9.5 TFL, and 4.5 sacks in 2023. What makes Toure an even better fit is his familiarity with Hetherman. Miami’s new DC coached Toure at Rutgers for his breakout season.
Overall, I like the talent on the 2025 Hurricanes’ roster. Obviously, the transfers on defense need to hit for that unit to have a successful season. I am excited about the running game with Mark Fletcher Jr., Jordan Lyle, and CharMar Brown. I think TE Elijah Lofton is going to be a playmaker. My only concern is at wide receiver. The talent seems to be there, we just need to see it on the field against real competition.
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Lastly, I am curious to see if Miami’s crowd will affect Lagway and the Gators as a whole. Cam Ward and the Canes weren’t bothered in the least by the crowd in Gainesville last year. Cam said as much after the game. I can also confirm it from being there, the crowd was not loud. If Miami is 3-0 going into this game, Hard Rock Stadium is going to be nuts for the Gators on September 20th. I sure hope it’s a 7:30 PM kickoff.
Prediction: I will never pick the Gators over the Canes. Ever. Honestly though, I think this will be a close matchup, with the winner being the team that makes fewer mistakes: turnovers, dumb penalties, dropped passes, etc. Miami by a field goal.
GO CANES!