Outcome of Florida Miami football game could impact signing day

The Florida and Miami football programs battle every year in recruiting whether or not they play on the field. The first meeting in six seasons between the Gators and Hurricanes could reach beyond the bragging rights for the fanbases.

Manny Diaz built a lot of positive momentum for the Miami football program during the 2019 offseason. A victory in Orlando can enhance the positive feelings that Diaz has developed about the Hurricanes football program over the last eight months.

Another poor performance in front of a national audience could hinder Miami’s recruiting efforts. A 7-6 2018 season led to a near mass exodus of the Hurricanes 2019 recruiting class. Miami’s abysmal performance during a 35-3 loss in the Pinstripe Bowl to Wisconsin looked like the Hurricanes gave up.

Mark Richt retired three days following the debacle in Gotham. Diaz was elevated to head coach after an 18-day stint at Philadelphia. He was able to salvage the recruiting class by adding seven players via the transfer portal. Richt signed two transfers in December. Running back Asa Martin has already moved on.

ESPN writer Tom VanHaaren expects the Hurricanes and Gators to be one of five “college football games this season that will shake up signing day.” Miami’s ACC rivals, Coastal for North Carolina and North Carolina State from the Atlantic meeting is also included.

"“Florida vs. Miami (in Orlando) Aug. 24This game will set the tone for both programs and start a narrative that could be hard to change. If Miami loses, it will appear to be more of the same after last year’s 7-6 disappointment.If new coach Manny Diaz pulls off the upset, the talk will be about the Hurricanes making a quick turnaround and propelling the program forward. A Florida win could start conversations about the Gators making a deep run in the SEC and coach Dan Mullen having his team playing off last season’s momentum.Florida surged up the recruiting class rankings last year — from No. 25 (in ESPN’s rankings) before the season began to No. 9 in the final rankings…A win to start the season against Miami would help keep that momentum moving forward.The Hurricanes were on the opposite trajectory, finishing the 2019 recruiting cycle ranked No. 30 overall, after starting at No. 9 in the initial April rankings. There is a chance to change that for 2020, as Miami is at No. 10, two spots ahead of Florida, in the current class rankings.Miami has gotten off to a fast start over the past few recruiting classes but has not been able to sustain that success. A win in this game could help the Hurricanes uphold their fast start under a new staff and possibly keep them ranked in the top 10 until February.”"

VanHaarden might be oversimplifying the outcome of one game. A blowout loss to Florida would undoubtedly damage the recruiting efforts for the Miami football program.

If the Hurricanes play well in a close loss it would likely be a win-win for both schools. Being the eighth-ranked team in the country, the pressure is more on Florida to defeat Miami.

The Hurricanes schedule after Florida sets the table for a potential run to win out. Those are setting the expectations high and tough to project that to be the outcome for Manny Diaz’s first season. If the Hurricanes can go 7-1 or 6-2 in the ACC and win the Coastal that will be huge momentum on the field and in recruiting.

An ACC Coastal Division title and potential New Year’s Six bowl game would put Miami back where they were two years ago. They would give them momentum to close on the players currently committed for 2020 and to continue to maintain the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class for 2021.