Last Five Meetings:
1987 @ Miami 31 Florida 4
2000 Miami 37 Florida 20 SUGAR BOWL
2002 Miami 41 @Florida 16
2003 @ Miami 38 Florida 33
2004 Miami 27 Florida 10 PEACH BOWL
In the first of our previews of this year's Hurricane Football opponents we are skipping FCS (former 1AA) member Charleston Southern because quite frankly I do not know a whole lot about their football program. So instead we end up with a familiar foe, Florida who for the first time since the mid 1970s will come into a game with Miami as an overwhelming favorite.
Florida boasts the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Tim Tebow as well as a lethal offense in Urban Meyer somewhat gimmicky spread option attack. Once upon a time gimmicks did not work against Miami but now it seems any team with offensive firepower can move up and down the field at will against the Hurricanes. Percy Harvin is the type of quick, shifty player who has run all over Miami the past few years because not only are the Hurricanes short on defensive talent, but the Canes linebackers tend to over pursue fast players. Louis Murphy and Riley Cooper represent two outstanding targets for Tim Tebow who as we all know is the best pass/run combo Quarterback in the nation. Florida's offensive line is solid as well.
Defensively Florida boasts Brandon Spikes one of the nation's top linebackers as well as a solid secondary. What Florida does not have is a good front four and if Miami can boast anything coming into 2008 it's a solid offensive line and outstanding running backs. In other words, Miami should be able to run the ball on Florida. But with an inexperienced QB making his second start and a poor corp of WRs, Miami will not be able to throw the football effectively against the Gators.
Florida's kick return game is reminiscent of what Miami's used to be like. Brandon James is an effective and speedy kick returner. He's tiny but lightning quick.
All of this leads to speculation that this game could be as ugly as the Hurricanes trip to Norman last year. Miami last beat a BCS conference, non ACC/Big East opponent on the road in 2002 against Tennessee. This game will continue that dubious streak although something tells me Miami will be more competitive than many think. Florida will win no doubt, but the margin and competitiveness of the game will help propel the Hurricanes forward as they try to rebuild lost confidence.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Football Opponent Preview: Florida
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14 comments:
The Gators are so full of themselves right now.
For years they dodged us and look at those last five games? What is the combined score of those matchups?
It's difficult to take the Gators seriously as a football power.
They catch some luck here and there and teams ahead of them lose to back them into a national title scenario. But we know better than to be scared of them. After all they are still the school that did the Gator flop and couldn't stop the chop for years. The Choke at Doak and the Comeback at the OB all part of Gator lore.
Tough time to catch the Gators. This will be the first time in the past six meetings that both teams aren't ranked and that the Canes aren't the higher ranked team.
An unranked Miami squad, coming off of 5-7, headed to The Swamp with a freshman QB yet to make a road start? Brutal.
On the other side of the ball, you get a Heisman winner, a pretty dynamic offense and a young, albeit talented defense.
Not counting the Canes out as it's a rivalry and anything can happen... but Miami definitely has its hands full on September 6th.
Beat a team six straight times and eventually the pendulum will swing in their favor. Look at Florida State. Miami took 'em six straight between 2000-2004 and finally let a few go the next two seasons.
It happens.
The Canes need to play well against the Gators, learn from it and make a run in the ACC this year. The U isn't getting to the title game, so worry about confernce games, wins and a good bowl game.
We may lose to the scumbags but I can promise you they will lose at least three games this year.
So they'll have beaten us once in the last seven meetings while essentially forfeiting every other game when they avoided playing us.
I could care less about winning or losing a game against such a wimpy, unworthy opponent. I just want to see improvement and our team return to the dominance we are so used to. Florida is never a factor nationally. The truth is when FSU and Miami are rolling, both schools simply roll over Florida. That day will return sooner than you may thing.
After all they are still the school that did the Gator flop and couldn't stop the chop for years. The Choke at Doak and the Comeback at the OB all part of Gator lore.
Do not forget about the constant "we play in the SEC" cries when explaining their losses to Miami and Florida State.
When I enrolled at UF as a freshman it was like I was handed a playbook of excuses on how to attack FSU and Miami's success. I've heard them all!
C'mon Kartik?
keep the game close?
what have you become, a cheerleader?
A valued this site for its objectivity but now you seem to be buying the propaganda in the papers about this team!
C'mon Kartik?
keep the game close?
what have you become, a cheerleader?
Florida isn't exactly USC, Mike.
Please no trash talking here. The message boards are available for that. Kartik, please delete comments that incite trouble to keep this blog the clean place it's always been, or moderate comments as Chris does on his blog.
Killing trash talking takes the fun out of it.
Cam Newton is going to play for the Gators also this year in special sets at QB.
Dan Mullen and Urban Meyer have a great system going and with Newton they will be able to take some of the load off of Tebow and Harvin to carry the offense. Chris Rainey as well.
I really don't care about this game. I would prefer to go 5-2 or 6-2 in the ACC and just finally establish ourselves as a power against teams we are going to play every season.
Not care about Florida?
Come on buddy you are kidding.
This is the rivalry and regardless of how it turns out we will still lead the all time series after the game in 2013.
Good to see you back and blogging.
You really think our weak offensive line can run on them?
I think we are going to get killed.
Gator z, you are a real man for that post. Let me buy u a beer. NOT! LOSER!
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