Florida Football: What should we expect from Week 0 rivalry bout vs. Miami?

A big in-state showdown between the ACC and SEC takes the stage in Week 0 as Miami and Florida football square off in Orlando.

While the contest will have no actual impact on the conference races for either the Hurricanes or Gators, you cannot underestimate the importance of this early-season clash.

Miami will be breaking in a new head coach in Manny Diaz, who replaced Mark Richt after he announced his decision to leave the position. Diaz already made headlines when he tabbed Jarren Williams the starting quarterback over Ohio State transfer Tate Martell for this game.

Florida, meanwhile, returned to prominence in year one under Dan Mullen last season. The Gators are the favorites, and should be on paper, but this is a rivalry game and the first contest of the season. All that means you throw everything out the window.

This is the first time since 2013 that these two teams have played, with the Gators scoring a 21-16 victory that season. Prior to that, Florida also won, 26-3 in 2008.

Here’s how you can watch Saturday’s game between Miami and Florida:

Date: Saturday, Aug. 24
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Orlando, Fla.
Venue: Camping World Stadium
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN | Fubo TV

Keys to Victory

How will Williams handle the spotlight of being the starting quarterback and the pressure – and you know there will be plenty of pressure – provided by the Florida defense? Williams has to not only worry about his own game and how he does, but what one little mistake might cost him.

Would Diaz pull the plug on Williams should he struggle early and go to Martell? Or will the coach allow his young gunslinger the chance to work through any growing pains?

For the Gators, can they take control at the line of scrimmage and establish a ground game that will be needed once they do enter SEC play? How Florida handles the speed of the Miami defense will be important in the early going.

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of Bovada

Point Spread: Florida -7.5
Over/Under: 47

Prediction

This is going to have that feel of an intense rivalry from the start. Florida and Miami will exchange blows through the first three quarters and the game will come down to the final minutes as Feleipe Franks hits Trevon Grimes with 30 seconds left to go in the game to take a one-touchdown lead which the Gators won’t surrender. This will be an instant classic.

Final Score: Miami 20, Florida 27