Mario Cristobal says Miami football focused on training camp before Florida Gators

Head coach Mario Cristobal stated the Miami football team is preparing for training camp before they focus on their season opener at Florida. Cristobal responded to a question about opening the season playing a rivalry game at Florida and the tone it could set for the remainder of the season.

Cristobal's response set an early tone for training camp and a message to his team to prepare for the season, not just Florida. As Cristobal responded to the question, Miami will be addressing their first game in due time. Miami will play at Florida during the first full weekend of the season on August 31.

Training camp will likely end about a week before Miami plays at Florida. The week before traveling to Gainesville, Miami will have a traditional week allowing them to break from training camp and begin practicing for Florida. Miami and Florida are playing in Gainesville for the first time since 2008.

Florida won 26-3 in the 2008 game. Miami beat Florida 21-16 in 2013. That was the last meeting at one of the two teams' home stadiums. Florida beat Miami 24-20 in Orlando in the last time the teams played. The 2024 Florida versus Miami game is pivotal for programs that have struggled in the last two years.

"It's a tremendous rivalry. I know our fan base and everybody is incredibly fired up about that. But we're not talking about the Florida Gators. We have training camp coming up. For us to be the best team we can be on August 31st, we have to have a great training camp, we have to improve our systems, our techniques, our fundamentals, our ability to communicate, execute. Without any of that, nothing else is really possible. All focus is on Miami. In due time, we'll be addressing our first game."

- Mario Cristobal

Whoever wins between Florida and Miami will begin the season with positive momentum. The pressure on the losing coach will continue to build after two subpar seasons. Florida is 11-14 in their first two seasons under Billy Napier. Miami is 12-13 in two seasons under Cristobal.

Miami has a lot to clean up from last season and multiple starting positions to still be decided. Six starters return on offense and four on defense from Miami's final regular season game in 2023 versus Boston College. The key positions to watch in training camp are left guard and safety.

Miami returns starting right guard Anez Cooper and tackles Francisco Mauigoa and Jalen Rivers on the 2024 offensive line. Indiana transfer Zach Carpenter will start at center. Redshirt freshman Samson Okunlola, redshirt sophomore Matt McCoy and junior Markell Bell are the players to watch as the potential fourth starting offensive lineman.

At 6'9 and 340 pounds, Bell projects more as a tackle. Miami OL coach Alex Mirabal likes to cross train his players. If Bell earns a starting spot, Mauigoa could move inside to guard. Okunlola could also potentially be a tackle. Building depth and improving the talent on the OL was one of the first priorities for Cristobal when he was hired.

Washington transfer Mishael Powell will be one starting safety for Miami in 2024. Arizona transfer Isaiah Taylor and 2024 signee Zaquan Patterson are among the safeties to watch in what should be a wide-open competition to start opposite Powell. Most of the positions with new starters will be manned by transfers.