It is officially football time in the Sunshine State once again. The Miami Hurricanes football season gets started with a 3:30 EST kickoff against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. It’ll be a warm one by the afternoon, but we’ve experienced the beginnings of a crisp fall morning air recently to signal the return of football. Now, the pads go on and it is finally time to hit somebody. Expectations are high, excitement is boiling over, and even beer will be flowing inside the stadium.
At this point, I am tired of talking. It has been a long offseason and there is only so much you can break down heading into Week One. The Florida Gators have been covered thoroughly all week long here at the dot com. Per usual, DMoney Peter and myself have released tons of stories on the Gators that you can check out their site. You won’t want to reach kickoff without consuming those three great pieces of content.
However, once you’ve done that homework, let’s dive into three things you need to know about the Florida Gators.
Napier is eager to dominate in the "Bully Ball" on offense. The Gators boast two full-time offensive line coaches and a robust tailback room. Florida aims to lay down the run. Last season, Napier's team demonstrated a strong dedication to kick-starting the ground game early, leaving the Hurricanes with the task of preventing a repeat of that success this season.
Expect a heavy run percentage from Florida today.
Jake Slaughter, their top returning starter, didn't do as well as a first-year starter in his first 12 games, only starting eight. He's a 6-foot-5, 295-pound center ranked 14th in FBS centers and had a 75.9 Pro Football Focus grade from 622 snaps. This led to him being in Max Chadwick's top 10 list of best interior offensive linemen returning to college football in 2024..
They will have some younger guys at the guard position as I said above and the Hurricanes will have veterans at the line today so the Hurricanes need to punish them and punish them quick.
However, there will be some new pieces surrounding Marshall and Ja’Keem along with Moore. A three-star recruit coming out of high school, the 247Sports rankings ranked Foster as the No. 63 cornerback and No. 803 prospect nationwide in the class of 2024.
At this point, I am tired of talking. It has been a long offseason and there is only so much you can break down heading into Week One. The Florida Gators have been covered thoroughly all week long here at the dot com. Per usual, DMoney Peter and myself have released tons of stories on the Gators that you can check out their site. You won’t want to reach kickoff without consuming those three great pieces of content.
However, once you’ve done that homework, let’s dive into three things you need to know about the Florida Gators.
Gators Feature a strong downhill running game
Florida head coach Billy Napier is known as an offensive mind entering year number three in Gainesville, Coach Napier has been known to have his teams ground and pound on the run game. The Gators averaged 149.5 rushing yards per game last year under coach Billy Napier, that was enough for being the 77th team in college football of last season.Napier is eager to dominate in the "Bully Ball" on offense. The Gators boast two full-time offensive line coaches and a robust tailback room. Florida aims to lay down the run. Last season, Napier's team demonstrated a strong dedication to kick-starting the ground game early, leaving the Hurricanes with the task of preventing a repeat of that success this season.
Expect a heavy run percentage from Florida today.
Gators offensive line is a hit or miss
The Florida Gators offensive line still has some question marks on the team and this could go in Miami’s favor today if the Hurricanes punish the offensive line which the Canes defensive front is one of the best in the country.Jake Slaughter, their top returning starter, didn't do as well as a first-year starter in his first 12 games, only starting eight. He's a 6-foot-5, 295-pound center ranked 14th in FBS centers and had a 75.9 Pro Football Focus grade from 622 snaps. This led to him being in Max Chadwick's top 10 list of best interior offensive linemen returning to college football in 2024..
They will have some younger guys at the guard position as I said above and the Hurricanes will have veterans at the line today so the Hurricanes need to punish them and punish them quick.
Scary secondary
Jason Marshall Jr. and Devin Moore returns for the Gators, Marshall is expected to be one of the top cornerbacks in college football. Ja’Keem Jackson and Dijon Johnson is also another two big time players who will play a huge role in Florida’s defense.However, there will be some new pieces surrounding Marshall and Ja’Keem along with Moore. A three-star recruit coming out of high school, the 247Sports rankings ranked Foster as the No. 63 cornerback and No. 803 prospect nationwide in the class of 2024.
