Because this game is a full week ahead of everyone else, it obviously would be too late to include in our usual SEC Preview for Week 1. So here it is.
FLORIDA vs. MIAMI (Orlando, Fla.)
We picked Florida in the preseason but it's a risky pick, and one that continues to look riskier by the second given Florida's issues at offensive line. Miami isn't a bad team. The Hurricanes were TideFans.com's most likely surprise team to make the College Football Playoffs prior to the 2018 season, but the Hurricanes limped to a 7-6 record, thanks to a passing game that imploded early (112th nationally by the end of the year) and then the rest of the team quit down the stretch. Then, former head coach Mark Richt quit as well. The Hurricanes have the talent to make this game close, even pull the upset. Some would suggest Florida succeeded last year under Dan Mullen off the strength of an offensive line (and thus, a running game) that surprised everyone. Many of the contributors from those units have moved on. There are still plenty of question marks at quarterback, and the defense needs to stop the run with more consistency. Don't be surprised if the margin of this game is closer than expected. For that matter, a Hurricane victory wouldn't shock anyone here.
Florida 27
Miami 23
FLORIDA vs. MIAMI (Orlando, Fla.)
We picked Florida in the preseason but it's a risky pick, and one that continues to look riskier by the second given Florida's issues at offensive line. Miami isn't a bad team. The Hurricanes were TideFans.com's most likely surprise team to make the College Football Playoffs prior to the 2018 season, but the Hurricanes limped to a 7-6 record, thanks to a passing game that imploded early (112th nationally by the end of the year) and then the rest of the team quit down the stretch. Then, former head coach Mark Richt quit as well. The Hurricanes have the talent to make this game close, even pull the upset. Some would suggest Florida succeeded last year under Dan Mullen off the strength of an offensive line (and thus, a running game) that surprised everyone. Many of the contributors from those units have moved on. There are still plenty of question marks at quarterback, and the defense needs to stop the run with more consistency. Don't be surprised if the margin of this game is closer than expected. For that matter, a Hurricane victory wouldn't shock anyone here.
Florida 27
Miami 23
