Miami at Florida was included by Jesse Simonton of On3 "Mapping out the premier Week 1 college football viewing slate." The Hurricanes at Gators have received a lot of off-season attention with Mario Cristobal of Miami and Billy Napier of Florida entering their third seasons with losing records in their current jobs.
Cristobal is 12-13 in two seasons at Miami and Napier is 11-14 in the same time at Florida. The outcome of Miami at Florida will be polarizing for both fan bases. A win will be a relief and potentially over excitment about the rest of the season. The losing team will set in some sense of panic and criticism nationally.
Florida likely needs a win more than Miami. Miami has a favorable schedule this season. Florida State is the only preseason top-25 team on Miami's schedule. Florida plays a well publicized five of the top 13 teams in November. If Florida gets a win over Miami, they will have a far better chance of becoming bowl-eligible.
Miami has much higher aspirations than becoming bowl-eligible this season. Florida State was picked to win the ACC by the media, Clemson second and Miami third. Miami is expected to compete for an ACC Championship game berth and potentially a spot in the College Football Playoff.
"The Sunshine State Showdown is the Anxiety Bowl of Week 1, as two third-year head coaches badly need to get off to a quick start in 2024 or really risk the ire of a couple of antsy fan bases. Mario Cristobal’s team has ACC Championship expectations this season, while Billy Napier is looking to prove he shouldn’t be considered a hot seat candidate. Whoever loses in The Swamp on Saturday is going to have a mighty uncomfortable next six days before they get to play again. "Jesse Simonton, On3
The Anxiety Bowl is a perfect description for Miami at Florida from Simonton. With Miami and Florida playing in frequently, the game means more in an average year. With both programs slogging through mediocrity entering the 2024 season, Simonton is accurate to say without quick starts,, Miami and Florida will have antsy fan bases.
Mario Cristobal and his staff have assembled a roster ready to compete in 2024. Another mediocre season from Miami could put Cristobal on the hot seat entering the 2025 offseason. Miami needs to win now. The 10th ranked 2024 transfer class has a lot of elite players led by Quarterback Cam Ward.
Adding Ward for his final season of eligibility is a statement Miami is ready to compete for an ACC Title and College Football Playoff berth this season. Running back Damien Martinez gives Miami another elite offensive player. Martinez provides Miami with offensive balance and could carry the load for the Hurricanes on the ground.
Several other incoming transfers could carry the load for Miami offensively. Getting off to a good start at Florida will be critical. With 40 new players on the roster, Florida is a difficult season opener. Miami will not be able to ease into the season as they would have versus most Group of Five or FCS opponents.