Making DJ Lagway Beat Them Should be Miami Winning Formula versus Florida

Florida is 102nd nationally against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents in 2025 averaging 106.00 rushing yards per game and quarterback D.J. Lagway is second in the country with six interceptions thrown through week three. Miami should be able to make Florida and Lagway one-dimensional.

The Florida offensive line is tied for third nationally with an 89.8 pass blocking grade and 16th in the country with a 74 run blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. Despite an elite OL, Lagway has struggled throwing from a clean pocket.

Max Chadwick of PFF on their preview of the Florida at Miami game, stated Lagway has a 68.5 passing grade when he is not pressured in 2025. That is 103rd nationally. Lagway has seven turnover-worthy plays in 2025 from a clean pocket. That is three more than any power four QB.

Chadwick continued that six of the seven turnover-worthy plays by Lagway were last weekend in a 20-10 Florida loss at LSU. Lagway threw five interceptions at LSU. Miami averages 6.33 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks per game in 2025.

Chadwick later stated that six of the seven turnover-worthy plays by Lagway this season have occurred in a clean pocket. Lagway was continuing to force passes despite Florida still being in the game. LSU needed an interception return touchdown in the third quarter to stretch their lead to 20-10.

According to David Hale of ESPN nearly one-third of Lagway's throws are behind the line of scrimmage in 2025 and he has attempted just seven throws of 20 yards or more. Lagway has completed one pass and thrown two interceptions on his attempts of 20 yards or more in 2025.

Lagway has completed 71.0 percent of his pass attempts for 629 yards, 6.3 yards per attempt, five TDs, six interceptions and a 128.34 passer rating in 2025. Florida is 100th nationally as a team, averaging 6.4 yards per passing attempt. Without the Florida rushing offense as a threat, Miami can dare Lagway to beat them by baiting him into throwing interceptions.

David Lake of Inside the U stated the average depth of target for Lagway in 2025 is 7.1 yards past the line of scrimmage. Lagway has averaged 2.6 seconds per pass attempt in 2025 per Lake. Per PFF via Lake, Lagway has only 41 passing yards on deep plays in 2025.,

Florida is 65th nationally with six completions of 20 or more yards versus FBS opponents. The Gators are 105th nationally with five runs of 10 or more yards against FBS opponents and none for 20 or more yards. Without the threat of explosive plays, Miami should be able to make Florida and Lagway one-dimensional offensively.