The Miami football season opener against Florida being moved up to August 24 from the 31 is good for the Hurricanes football program and new Head Coach Manny Diaz.
The early start means that Diaz and the Miami football program will get to start practice a week earlier than they would have if the game against Florida would have remained August 31 instead of being moved up to the 24.
The week game being played a week earlier also gives Miami a bye week before their September 7 ACC opener against North Carolina. The earlier start time means that Diaz will have an extra week to prepare for both Florida and North Carolina.
The Hurricanes will also get an extra week of practice to allow all the new players to acclimate to The New Miami. The Hurricanes signed 17 players as part of their Surge ’19 recruiting class. Miami is also bringing in eight new players via the transfer portal.
Some fans on social media are very upset about the game being moved up a week early. Florida, Miami and the Citrus Bowl committee, who is the sponsor of the Camping World Kickoff Classic, are working with the airlines and Orlando hotels to get fans a break on any costs incurred from the date of the game being changed.
Miami and Florida submitted a joint waiver to the NCAA to change the game from August 31 to 24. The schools were approached by ESPN who is televising the game and College Football 150, the organization helping celebrate College Football’s 150th Anniversary this season, to move the game up one week.
A statement was published on the athletic department’s official website HurricaneSports.Com regarding the date change for the Hurricanes and Gators. It appears that the football programs from both schools are doing all that they can to accommodate fans who will incur inconveniences surrounding the change.
"“Both schools have had conversations with primary air carriers asking that they provide relief for fans who need to change their plans.Florida Citrus Sports is also in contact with the Orlando tourism and lodging community and will enlist their support to accommodate travel revisions prompted by the change in game date.”"
Miami Athletic Director Blake James who has received a lot of criticism over what has been a trying year plus with the football, baseball and men’s basketball programs also released a statement regarding the game being moved up a week.
"“I want to thank the NCAA, ESPN, Florida Citrus Sports, CFB150, Inc., and the University of Florida for their cooperation and support throughout this process.We understand that the new game date could affect Hurricanes fans who had already made travel plans for the original game date. We will work diligently with any of those affected to help ensure that they can still attend the Camping World Kickoff and have a great experience.”"
News: Florida vs. Miami in Orlando has been moved to August 24th, 2019. The game will kickoff at 7 p.m. and be broadcast on ESPN.
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) March 7, 2019
Details on decision and more: https://t.co/BQaai8sWuE
James was quoted in the Miami Herald about fans that have purchased tickets and made travel plans.
"“If this were something that were to happen, a lot of things have to be figured out. Those are issues.’’"
The game change is a win-win for the Hurricanes. It’s going to inconvenience some fans. With the game being in Orlando it is not likely to have a big impact on flights. Diaz signed off on the game being moved up. James was further quoted on HurricaneSports.Com.
"“After consulting with Manny, we agreed that this would be a tremendous opportunity to showcase Hurricanes football – both our present team and our long, storied tradition – on a national stage."
With the game change finalized, fans have four and a half months to change their travel plans. As James said it might not be easy for some fans. It’s still good for the Miami football team in 2019 and beyond. It gets the program immediate exposure on a national stage and additional practice time.
Manny Diaz’s first year leading The New Miami football program should be a fascinating one. It will get off to a rousing start with the renewal of college football’s best, normally dormant rivalries and pick up two weeks later to begin ACC play.
For Diaz the games are personal. He goes against two of his former bosses. Diaz worked for Florida’s Dan Mullen at Mississippi State and North Carolina’s Mack Brown at Texas.