Skip to main content
Florida

Florida-Miami one of the season's 10 best non-conference games

On3 imageby: Keith Niebuhr05/24/25On3Keith
Florida Gators Billy Napier Miami Hurricanes Mario Cristobal
Florida Gators Billy Napier Miami Hurricanes Mario Cristobal

The Florida Gators-Miami Hurricanes game Sept. 20 is the eighth-best non-conference matchup of the 2025 season, according to On3. The teams will meet in what will be UF’s fourth game of the year, following contests against Long Island University, USF and LSU. After hosting UM in 2024, this year the teams face each other at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

Wrote On3’s Pete Nakos of the game:

In Cam Ward’s debut with Miami, the Hurricanes blew Florida out of The Swamp. It almost appeared as the beginning of the end for Florida head coach Billy Napier, who had entered the 2024 season on the hot seat. But as the season progressed, the Gators got better. Florida found its future quarterback in DJ Lagway, who closed the season with wins over LSU, Ole Miss and Florida State. This game will be another key date to watch for Napier’s future. Rivalries mean everything in Florida, and Mario Cristobal took advantage of that following last year’s win, urging recruits to head to the Hurricanes.

UM beat the Florida Gators a season ago

Miami won 41-17 last year in The Swamp in a game that, quite frankly, wasn’t very competitive. By season’s end, the Florida Gators had won four straight games and now there is confidence in Gainesville that UF has turned the corner under Napier, who is entering Year 4.

That optimism centers around the development and potential of Lagway, who saw limited action against the ‘Canes in a backup role as a true freshman last season. Today, many consider him one of the top young QBs in college football. Around Lagway, the Gators bring back an experienced offensive line, a strong stable of running backs and a talented group of receivers.

Miami, meanwhile, lost Ward to the NFL. He was the No. 1 overall draft pick. Georgia transfer Carson Beck, who faced Florida a few times with the Dawgs, will be QB 1 for the ‘Canes. While Florida went light in the transfer portal this offseason, Miami was quite active and should have several newcomers in prominent roles this season.

Miami leads the all-time series with Florida, 30-27.

The Aug. 30 game between Texas and Ohio State was No. 1 on the list. Said On3 of that game:

It’s a College Football Playoff semifinals rematch in Week 1, with Texas heading to Columbus. Ohio State will have a major quarterback question entering the game, with the Buckeyes expected to roll out Julian Sayin or Lincoln Kienholz. More importantly, it will be the starting debut of Texas quarterback Arch Manning. The Buckeyes arguably return the two best players in the sport — wideout Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs — but Texas is a national title favorite entering the 2025 season. The matchup will be a good measuring stick for both programs. Can Texas win its first national title since 2005? Can Ohio State defend its championship, or will quarterback be a lingering problem?

You may also like