The Miami Hurricanes defense faces a tough task in the season opener against a Florida offense building momentum. The Gators averaged 45 points in their final four games of 2018.
The Florida Gators bring back most of their skill position players on offense. For the Miami Hurricanes to win, their defense has to generate pressure against a Florida offensive line with only one returning starter. Miami returns five of their front seven defensively returning in 2019. That includes all three linebackers.
The tone of the Miami Hurricanes defense in 2019 will be set by the trio of Senior LBs entering the fourth season together as starters. Shaq Quarterman and Michael Pinckney will challenge to be All-ACC and All-Americans in 2019. Zach McCloud will share playing time with striker Romeo Finley as he did in 2018.
Miami firsts
Keeping the score low and relying on their defense will be critical for the Miami Hurricanes. There will be a lot of firsts for the Miami offense on Saturday night in Orlando. Dan Enos as offensive coordinator, John Campbell at right tackle, Zion Nelson at left tackle and Jarren Williams at QB will all be in the first game with Miami.
That is in addition to the Miami Hurricanes Manny Diaz in his first-ever game as a head coach. Chris Fowler who will be calling the game for ESPN told the Hochman and Crowder Show on WQAM that Diaz treated the scrimmages like a game to get himself ready how to run a game as a head coach.
A lot of the question marks in Saturday night’s game is how well Florida QB Feleipe Franks can play against the Miami defense. With an inconsistent Franks under center for Florida and Williams in the first significant playing time of his career expect both teams to rely on their running games.