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Florida Football: Post-spring game-by-game predictions for 2019

By John Mitchell

GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 01: Feleipe Franks #13 of the Florida Gators throws a wrist band to a fan following a victory over the Charleston Southern Buccaneers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 01: Feleipe Franks #13 of the Florida Gators throws a wrist band to a fan following a victory over the Charleston Southern Buccaneers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

I’ve got to admit that one of my most anticipated games early in the season is the renewed rivalry between Miami and Florida. This used to be one of my favorite games every year when I was a kid, and it’s great to see them battling it out on the gridiron once again. This will be just the third time the two schools have met in the last decade, and the first time since 2013.

This will be the beginning of the Manny Diaz era at Miami as he is the latest coach tasked with bringing “The U” back. As the defensive coordinator, Diaz was given the bulk of the credit for the Hurricanes’ breakthrough 2017 season in which they won 10 games. He received little, if any, of the blame for Miami taking a big step backward last season. And truth be told it was the offensive issues that caused Miami to slip to 7-6, with unsteady quarterback play being the main impetus. Defensively, Diaz’s group still ranked in the Top-5 in total defense nationally.

Even with some talented defenders moving on to the NFL such as dominant nose tackle Gerald Willis, there’s still plenty of talent on that side of the ball to expect the ‘Canes to still field one of the best defensive units in the country. The talent at linebacker, led by Shaquille Quarterman and Michael Pinckney, is among the best in college football.

But what can Diaz do with an anemic offense? It all begins with what happens with a shaky quarterback situation, and fresh off his masterwork at Alabama with Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts, Dan Enos has been entrusted with the offensive play-calling duties as well as developing the signal-callers on the roster.

Spring didn’t bring Diaz and Enos any closer to a decision in determining a starter. Rising sophomore N’Kosi Perry is probably the favorite in the clubhouse, but both Jarren Williams and Ohio State transfer Tate Martell split reps with the first team throughout spring practice. Williams could ultimately be the odd man out and choose to explore his options on the transfer market.

The Hurricanes are likely to be very young up front, but they still have some impressive skill-position guys that a young quarterback can lean on. Rising junior DeeJay Dallas rushed for over 600 yards on nearly six yards-per-carry last season, and he should team with former 5-star recruit Lorenzo Lingard to give Miami a dynamic duo in the backfield.

Jeff Thomas’s decision to return to Miami after flirting with an Illinois transfer was a big win for Diaz, especially in the wake of Lawrence Cager transferring to Georgia. Buffalo transfer K.J. Osborne is likely to take on a big role at receiver, too.

Still, with the uncertainty at quarterback, it’s tough to project Miami being able to come out on top here in a neutral site matchup with a Gators team who could themselves field one of the best defenses in the country. I’d expect a low scoring game here, but Florida’s experience should give them the edge.

Pick: Florida 20, Miami 13 (1-0)

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