Written by Chuck Bethel
Miami Gardens, Fl- It has all the makings of a “trap game.”
Hosting an unranked rival seemingly in disarray, in a primetime game, with ESPN’s College GameDay set to broadcast in Coral Gables, and a showdown against the most-hated rival looming — No. 4 (AP) Miami can show its merit as a playoff contender with a strong performance against the visiting Florida Gators Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium.
UM (3-0) knocked the luster off the University of South Florida this past week, handing the then-ranked No. 18 Bulls their first loss of the season in a lopsided 49-12 game. USF had become the country’s “college football darlings” through the first two weeks of the season, after it defeated Boise State and previously ranked Florida. But the Hurricanes gave their in-state adversaries the “little brother treatment,” holding South Florida to just 40 rushing yards while they totaled 205 yards on the ground — led by a 120-yard, 2-touchdown performance by junior Mark Fletcher.
Carson Beck set new single-game season highs in passing yards (340), touchdowns (3), and longest completion (51 yards), as UM earned its biggest margin of victory over a ranked opponent since beating Washington 65-7 in 2001.
Since its season-opening win against FCS-level Long Island University, Florida has lost its past two games — at home against USF and a 20-10 road loss at No. 3 LSU this past weekend.
While it’d be easy to dismiss the Gators — like Miami did in last season’s opener at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium when it beat UF 41-17 — it’d also be foolish.
Florida sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway is a big (6-foot-3, 247 pounds) athlete and a legitimate dual-threat weapon under center and the Gators’ roster has its share of talent.
UF’s defense has surrendered big plays on the ground and through the air, something Miami should be able to take advantage of — especially with playmakers like Fletcher and freshman Malachi Toney.
Putting Florida in an early hole would bode well for Miami, which will travel to face Florida State on Oct. 4, as it’d make the Gators’ offense one-dimensional and force Lagway to throw a lot — while his 5-interception performance against LSU is still fresh in his mind.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
