Mario Cristobal claims Florida is 'one of the most talented teams we've seen in four years'

Despite entering the season with extremely high expectations, Florida has experienced a disastrous start to its 2025 campaign. After rolling Long Island 55-0 in their season opener, the Gators have dropped back-to-back games to USF and No. 3 LSU in the past two weeks.

Florida is facing a potential three-game losing streak this weekend. That would drop them to 20-22 in the Billy Napier era. Although the Gators are on a slide, Miami head coach Mario Cristobal claimed that they are one of the most talented teams they’ve seen in years on Friday’s edition of ‘The Pat McAfee Show.’

“They’re one of the most talented teams we’ve seen in four years,” Cristobal said. “They’ve got speed, size, scheme and great coaching. They’re as good as any team that we have faced. We always expect everybody’s best and we’re looking forward to an unbelievable opportunity.

“In rivalry games all across the country, you’re never all the way in the win column or all the way in the loss column. It’s a back-and-forth. The energy, intensity and all the hype surrounding it is a different level. Our job is to make sure that becomes a non-factor. We focus on doing our job and not letting anything get in the way of that. But the intensity that these guys will play with, knowing that they’ve known each other since high school and youth football, is through the roof.”

Miami rolled Florida 41-17 last season in Gainesville

This season marks the second consecutive meeting between the two rivals. Last year in Gainesville, the Hurricanes rolled Florida 41-17 in their season opener. Future No. 1 overall NFL Draft selection Cam Ward absolutely torched the Gators’ secondary, passing for 385 yards and three touchdowns. Dating back to the programs’ first meeting in 1938, Miami leads the all-time series 30-27.

While Florida has struggled to open the season, Miami has flourished. After opening the season with a 27-24 win against No. 6 Notre Dame, the ‘Canes have rolled Bethune-Cookman and No. 18 USF over the past two weeks. Miami quarterback Carson Beck, who was 2-0 against Florida in games he started at Georgia, has found new life in Coral Gables. Beck boasts 812 passing yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions this season.

Kick-off between the two in-state rivals on Saturday is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The game can be seen on ABC.