Florida at No. 4 Miami
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
Latest line: Miami by 7.5 points
TV: ABC
Weather: 83 degrees, 50% rain chance
Coaches: Billy Napier 20-21 (60-33 overall); Mario Cristobal 25-16 (87-76 overall)
Quick slant: The Gators seek their first win in Miami since 1985. But this also will be only Florida’s fourth game against the Hurricanes on their home turf since 1987, the final year an annual series that began in 1938. Miami has a 30-27 record against UF. The ‘Canes are one of seven Top 25 foes during Florida’s final nine regular-season games.
About Florida (1-2): Under Napier the Gators are 0-11 against ranked opponents away from Gainesville. Last Saturday’s 20-10 loss at No. 3 LSU marked the seventh consecutive game UF has allowed 20 points or fewer. After winning the first five of those games, the Gators have dropped two straight. The team’s 79 rushing yards were the fewest since Florida managed just 52 during a 33-20 loss to Texas A&M during the third game in 2024.
About No. 4 Miami (3-0): The Hurricanes routed the Gators 41-17 to open last season behind a 383-yard, 3-touchdown passing day by 2025 No. 1 NFL draft pick Cam Ward. Transfer quarterback Carson Beck threw two touchdowns, but also three interceptions for Georgia during a 34-20 win last Nov. 2 against Florida.
Florida receiver Aidan Mizell catches a touchdown pass over LSU’s Tamarcus Cooley during the Gators’ 20-10 loss Sept. 13 at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Three things to watch
1. Turnovers. Florida has a minus-3 turnover margin while Miami is plus-6. The numbers are a bit skewed by a 5-interception night by quarterback DJ Lagway that doomed the Gators at LSU. But UF also generated a single turnover against LSU and USF.
2. Penalties. The Gators negated more touchdowns (three) than they have scored (two) during their two losses. A holding call by guard Knijeah Harris wiped out an 87-yard touchdown catch by tailback Jadan Baugh that gave UF a 10-0 first-quarter lead at LSU. The Gators have committed 18 penalties for 160 yards the past two games.
3. Aidan Mizell. At LSU, the former Orlando Boone standout caught a 10-yard touchdown from Lagway and also had a 22-yard reception, the Gators’ only completion longer than 20 yards. Mizell, the fastest player on the team, inexplicably played nine snaps, a number that needs to increase at Miami.
