Stakes Are High In Sunshine State Showdown

 The 150th season of college football gets off to a raucous start as longtime Sunshine State rivals face off for the first time in over five years.

Florida's Dan Mullen (Saturday Tradition)

For the hungry college football fan, week zero is merely an appetizer to a season that promises exhilaration and frustration, but which will also go by way too fast. But it's also a tasty showdown between the No. 8 Florida Gators and the Miami Hurricanes, a small taste of a smorgasbord that will begin the following week.

The game kicks off at 7 pm at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

Florida won 10 games last year, the first under head coach Dan Mullen, and want to build on that. It's not enough that the Gators are simply better, they want to be contenders in the SEC East, have the stuff to knock Georgia off of the perch it has occupied for the past two seasons. The Gators have one of the most ferocious defenses in America, but if they are to scale the mountain they will need the offense to deliver.

Mullen did wonders with QB Feleipe Franks in 2018, raising his completion percentage by nearly four points and putting a premium on minimizing mistakes. Franks tossed 24 TDs to just six interceptions, and added another seven scores rushing. A big (6-6, 240), strong-armed passer, Franks should continue to make strides thanks to a receiving corps that is deep and talented.

In Van Jefferson, Kadarius Toney, Freddie Swain, Tyrie Cleveland and Trevon Grimes, Franks has a mouth-watering array of options to choose from. All have the speed to take it to the house, and will test a Miami secondary that was one of the best in America last season. Lamichal Perine and Malik Davis form an explosive backfield combo, but there are four new faces on the offensive line.

The Gators D was aggressive (37 sacks) and opportunistic (+12 turnovers), and with a Miami offense that could take time to find its footing it could be more of the same on Saturday. Edge Jabari Zuniga is a burgeoning star up front, and the secondary could be the deepest and best in the land, led by corner CJ Henderson. The return of corner Marco Wilson from injury adds even more depth.

Mullen knows that there are people who believes the Gators did it with smoke and mirrors last season, but he isn't hearing that. He and his team are focused on a Miami squad that would like nothing better than to start the Manny Diaz era with an upset.

"Being a big rivalry game, you know, within the state of Florida, that makes it big," Mullen said in a recent media powwow. "And it's not one that's played all the time, but there's a lot of tradition in that game and there's a lot of people I feel have very strong opinions and are happy that that game's being played, and to get to see that rivalry be played is really exciting. And to start off the season.

"You know, I mean, it is -- it is a huge -- it's going to be a huge, you know, kind of catapult for one of the teams. Whoever wins that game ends up really kicking off the season on the right note with a big win in a big game with a lot of national exposure. It's a big game for us. It's exciting to be a part of it, and I know our players are excited to play in it."

Diaz had quite the odyssey before taking over head coaching duties. He left to assume the same role at Temple, then came back three weeks later after the surprising resignation of Mark Richt. Diaz is familiar with the area and culture, serving as the Canes' defensive coordinator the last three seasons. Prior to that, he worked for Mullen as DC at Mississippi State, and has worked at Louisiana Tech, Texas and Middle Tennessee, producing results at each stop.

Miami's Manny Diaz (State Of The U)

He knows how many Sunshine State residents love that this game is being played, and believe it should be an every year occurrence. He knows the city more than the school, but realizes that bragging rights in Florida often lead to contention for the national title.

"I think the only time I’ve been to a Miami-Florida game was the 31-4 game at the Orange Bowl," he said. "It was hard to find. I don’t think the two schools played at all in the 90s. I do remember that day, I remember the 31-4 game. It’s hard to get four [points], sometimes, so that’s one you tend to remember.

"What I do remember is that when Miami and Florida, and Miami and Florida State, and Florida State and Florida – when they played each other – we used to stay whoever won the state championship usually had the inside track for the national championship. That’s gone away for whatever reason, but there’s no reason that can’t be the rule of law again. I’m sure Dan Mullen and Willie Taggart feel the same way, and I know we do here."

The Hurricanes are trying to regain their swagger, but lost a lot of top-flight personnel to the NFL. They do welcome back rush end Jonathan Garvin, who could be the next great one after posting 5.5 sacks and 11.5 TFL in 2018. Virginia Tech transfer Trevon Hill adds experience on the other side. In Michael Pinckney and Shaq Quarterman Miami has two of the premier linebackers in the country. Both can run sideline to sideline and are savvy, experienced players.

The secondary welcomes back Trajan Bandy, who put up an excellent sophomore season, and adds USC transfer Bubba Bolden at one safety spot. So the pass D looks to be in pretty good hands.

The questions are all on offense -- namely at quarterback.

After the ballyhooed arrival of Tate Martell from Ohio State, many Miami fans were thinking they had their guy. But Martell was erratic in spring ball, and Diaz named redshirt freshman Jarren Williams the starter. Williams is the best natural passer of the Miami QB contingent, but it's a lot to ask to debut against a defense as good as Florida's.

There is a lot of talent in the backfield, almost none of it proven. DeeJay Dallas is the closest thing to a bellcow after toting it more than 100 times last season, but Diaz plans to rotate backs and stick with the hot hand. The receiving group is good, led by Jeff Thomas, who left and then returned. Buffalo transfer KJ Osborn adds experience and skill, though the rest of the corps is largely untested. The offensive line is being rebuilt, a daunting prospect against Florida's relentless pressure.

The contest is rich with history, and provides one of the most talked-about season-opening contests in recent memory.

Diaz knows its an opportunity for both teams, and his troops will run from the pressure.

"When you think about the history of college football, the sport may not have been invented in this state, but was certainly revolutionized in this state," Diaz said. "You’re talking about 11 national championships in less than the last 40 years, that’s over a quarter, by my math. To have two of the marquee programs in this state open up the curtains on the 2019 season is a pretty cool thing that we’re excited to be a part of."