We are less than a week away from Florida’s rivalry showdown against the Miami Hurricanes on August 31st. Gator Country compares each position group for both Miami and Florida in an effort to find out who has the stronger roster.
UF’s team talent composite ranking of No.12 ranks sits slightly ahead of Miami’s No.14 ranking, according to 247Sports. Florida has 14 more four stars than Miami and one less five star. While this ranking system does hold some value, it doesn’t tell the full story as it doesn’t account for transfer ratings or experience. For this unit-by-unit comparison, we are going to primarily look at starting lineups and the two-deep depth chart for both offenses.
Quarterback
Miami: Cam Ward
Florida: Graham Mertz
I’m giving the slight edge to Miami’s Cam Ward due to his higher ceiling. Ward is a dual-threat quarterback that has explosive play potential. In two seasons at Washington State, Ward’s combined for 48 touchdown passes and 13 rushing touchdowns. Ward now has more wide receiver and offensive line talent at Miami and the expectations are through the roof as he enters the 2024 season with the T-4th best odds to win the Heisman Trophy, according to Fan Duel.
While Ward has the higher ceiling, his floor is lower than Mertz’s. Ward has the tendency to be careless with the football, which we didn’t see a lot of from Mertz last season. Ward threw seven interceptions to Mertz’s three while also fumbling 14 times in 2023.
While I’m basing this breakdown on purely talent, playing on the road in front of a sold-out Swamp is certainly a factor that fans across the country should keep in mind. You can read about Cam Ward’s home vs road splits here.
The splits are nothing alarming, but there’s a noticeable decrease across all stats when Ward plays on the road, highlighted by his 4-8 road record.
The key for Florida’s defense against Cam Ward will be applying pressure. Ward holds a PFF grade of 57.0 under pressure compared to Mertz’s 78.9 grade. Ward completed just 44.7% of his passes for four touchdowns and two interceptions on 114 pass attempts under pressure.
When you throw freshman DJ Lagway into the mix things get a little more interesting for UF. It’s unclear how much time he’s going to see in week one, but if he does see designed packages it provides Florida with more explosive play potential at the QB position.
Wide receiver
Miami: Restrepo, George, Brown
Florida: Wilson, Dike, Jackson
In another close position battle, I’m giving the edge to the Gators’ receiving core because of Tre Wilson and the depth Florida has. I believe Wilson will be the best receiver on the field come August 31st.
Miami has quite a strong starting three with Xaiver Restrepo and Jacolby George returning after productive 2023 seasons as well as the addition of Samuel Brown from Houston, who hauled in 813 yards for the Cougars last year. The depth for Miami takes a significant hit after those three.
The Gators on the other hand have Elijhah Badger, Marcus Burke, and Aidan Mizell, who all provide big play potential and should see the field against Miami.
Running back
Miami: Martinez, Fletcher, Allen
Florida: Johnson, Webb, Jackson
I’m giving Miami the nod at the running back position because of Oregon State transfer Damieon Martinez, who ran for 1,185 yards and nine touchdowns last season while averaging 6.1 yards per carry. Martinez was selected to the All-Pac 12 First Team in his first two collegiate seasons and was semifinalist for Doak Walker Award in 2023. Miami also has the most experienced backup running back in Mark Flecther, who ran for 514 yards and five touchdowns in his freshman campaign.
I don’t think either team will have to worry about their running back rooms this season, assuming they stay healthy.
Offensive line
Miami projects to have the better offensive line preseason. The Hurricanes return three starting OL in left tackle Jalen Rivers, right guard Anez Cooper, and right tackle Francis Mauigoa. Miami replaced former starting center Matt Lee with Zach Carpenter, who transferred from Indiana this offseason. Miami’s offensive line will likely depend on the play of former five star Samson Okunlola, who is projected to start at left guard after playing just 30 snaps in his freshman season.
Florida still has question marks surrounding the right side of their offensive line. While I expect Damieon George and Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson to start, do not be surprised if some of the younger guys get a shot on August 31st if things go south.
Miami’s offensive line coach Alex Mirabal is widely regarded as one of the best in the business. Miami takes offensive line.
Tight End
Miami: Cam McCormick, Riley Williams
Florida: Arlis Boardingham, Hayden Hansen
This one is a no brainer. Miami’s TE room is led by Cam McCormick, a 9th year college football player who has been granted four medical redshirts and a covid season. McCormick has never surpassed 100 yards receiving in a single season.
Arlis Boardingham is one of my candidates for breakout player of the year after hauling in 26 catches for 289 yards and four touchdowns as a redshirt freshman, earning FWAA Freshman All-American Honors in 2023. Boardingham is a mismatch nightmare for an opposing defense with his added size and speed.
RECAP
QB: Miami
WR: Florida
RB: Miami
OL: Miami
TE: Florida