Miami-FL vs Florida Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

The Miami Hurricanes and Florida Gators meet Saturday in week 1 college football action at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Here’s a Miami vs Florida Prediction. This article will include a Miami vs Florida Pick.

Miami Hurricanes Betting Preview

The Miami Hurricanes won 7 games last year and entered the third season under coach Mario Cristobal. Big things are expected of Miami this season, a program that hasn’t won double-digit games since 2017. Miami hit a home run by snagging Washington State transfer quarterback Cam Ward, who had nearly 7,000 passing yards and 48 touchdowns in 2 years. Ward also rushed for 13 touchdowns. Miami landed Oregon State running back Damien Martinez, who is fresh off a 1,000-yard season, and a receiving trio of Xavier Restrepo, Samuel Brown and Jacolby George is as good as any in college football. Miami also has one of the best offensive lines.

Defensively, Miami has questions at linebacker and in the secondary, but a defensive line led by Rueben Bain Jr., Tyler Baron, Akheem Mesidor and Elijah Alston is arguably the best in the sport. Miami is stacked in many key areas and on paper should push for a playoff spot while being a dark horse title contender. However, we have heard the hype with Miami before, and it didn’t go so well. Also, Cristobal has shown some warts throughout his head coaching career. I want to believe in the Hurricanes, but Cristobal calling the shots does scare me a little.

Florida Gators Betting Preview

The Florida Gators won 5 games last season and entered the third year under coach Billy Napier. Florida hasn’t missed a bowl game in back-to-back years since 1985-86. Graham Mertz will remain at quarterback after throwing for almost 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns last season, his best collegiate season yet. Montrell Johnson has 2,500 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns on his resume, while Elijhah Badger, Eugene Wilson III and Kahleil Jackson are a proven wide receiver room. Throw in a talented offensive line that returns three starters, and the Gators have legit potential on the offensive side.

Defensively, Jordan Castell returns after leading Florida with 60 tackles, Derek Wingo had 2.5 sacks and Devin Moore had 1 interception. Defensive backs Asa Turner comes over from Washington and Cormani McClain comes from Colorado. Florida has the toughest schedule in the history of sports, as well as defensive concerns. Also, nobody is sure Napier is the guy at head coach. Florida should be able to put up points this season, and that provides a fighting chance each week. With all that said, this is a massive game toward Florida finding enough wins to become bowl-eligible. 

Miami vs Florida Prediction

This line stinks. There’s a lot of hype around Miami, and the Canes on paper are stacked. However, the line is only 2.5 points. Playing at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium isn’t easy, and I’m sure that has something to do with it. Still, Miami is loaded roster-wise in a lot of key areas and should be competing for a playoff spot, while there’s a good chance Florida doesn’t even become bowl-eligible. Still, I’ll stop overthinking things and lay the small number with the Canes simply off of being the more talented team. 

Randy Chambers's Pick: Miami-FL -2.5