ESPN names Miami football at Florida top 8 2024 game to look forward to

Andrea Adelson of ESPN named the Miami football game at Florida as the one she is most looking forward in 2024. Adelson is the ESPN ACC beat writer, a Miami native and a Florida graduate. Few can put the Miami and Florida rivalry in perspective as well as Adelson.

Florida and Miami are entering their season-opening games in year three under head coaches with losing records. Billy Napier and Mario Cristobal enter their third seasons expecting their programs to show development and progress. Neither Cristobal nor Napier has won a bowl game in their current positions.

Florida won the last game they played Miami 24-20 in the 2019 season opener. That was the inaugural game under Manny Diaz. Florida was in its second season under Dan Mullen. The 2019 game was played in Orlando. Florida and Miami will begin a two-season home and home in Gainesville this season.

Whoever wins the season opener in Gainesville can build momentum for the 2024 season. Miami built early season momentum in 2023 with a win over Texas A&M. Florida did the same with a week one win over Utah. Neither team was able to sustain their momentum throughout the season. Adelson discussed the Florida-Miami game.

"Miami at Florida, Aug. 31

Though this in-state rivalry game may not have national championship implications right out of the gate, this is a huge game for both programs and head coaches. Mario Cristobal and Billy Napier each head into critical Year 3 seasons with fan bases that are eager for results. Interestingly enough, they have nearly identical records in their first two seasons -- Cristobal 12-13 as the hometown hero tasked with bringing Miami back, Napier 11-14 facing the hardest schedule in the nation. What happens in this game will set the narrative and tone for what is to come at both schools. -- Andrea Adelson"

- Andrea Adelson, ESPN

Earlier this week, the Miami football game at Florida was named one of the top 10 anticipated contests in the ACC. Miami's games versus Duke, Florida State and at Louisville were also named among the top 10 anticipated by 247 Sports. Miami also has non-conference games versus FAMU, Ball State and South Florida.

Although its the first game of the season, there will be a lot of overreaction from both sides following the Miami game at Florida. Fans will put more emotion into the game between the Hurricanes and Gators. In a long season, the winner has to build on the momentum and the loser has to focus on the rest of the season.