Miami Hurricanes vs Florida Gators Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 08/31/2024

Game Time: 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, August 31, 2024

Venue:  Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL

Where to Watch:  ABC

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Miami -2.5, Florida +2.5; Over/Under:  54 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Miami -2.5, Florida +2.5; Over/Under:  53.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Miami -2.5, Florida +2.5; Over/Under:  54.5 points

Miami Hurricanes:  0-0 (0-0) (ACC)

Florida Gators:  0-0 (0-0) (SEC)

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Miami Hurricanes:  N/A

Florida Gators:  N/A

Miami-Florida finished last season with a 7-6 record overall and they had a 3-5 record in their conference games too.  They were 5-2 in their home games, 2-3 in their road games, and they were also 0-1 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be on the road for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 31.5 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 22.8 points per game. Their offense also averaged 431.2 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 321.6 yards per game. Tyler Van Dyke led the team in passing yards with 2703, Henry Parrish Jr. led the team in rushing yards with 625, and Xavier Restrepo led the team in receiving yards with 1092.

 

 

 

Florida finished last season with a 5-7 record overall and they had a 3-5 record in their conference games too.  They were 4-2 in their home games, 1-4 in their road games, and they were also 0-1 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be at home for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 28.4 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 27.6 points per game. Their offense also averaged 409.1 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 382.3 yards per game. Graham Mertz led the team in passing yards with 2903, Montrell Johnson led the team in rushing yards with 817, and Ricky Pearsall led the team in receiving yards with 965.

The current betting odds have Miami listed as a 2.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Miami finished last season with a 7-6 record overall and they were a bit of a disappointment. They were expected to be a threat in the ACC, something that didn't really happen, and now they are a supposed threat once again. They have returned quite a few key players on the offense and defense, but now they have a better starting QB to lead the way too. They brought in Cam Ward who was great for Washington State last season and he will be looking to continue that greatness at a school where he has a real chance to win the conference. The Pac-12 was loaded last season but Washington State still had a really good team and Ward is going to open up opportunities for Miami to be more of a threat in the ACC. Florida State also lost their 1st game of the season to Georgia Tech in Week 0 and with the declining state of Clemson in recent years, Miami is going to sense the blood in the water already. Florida wasn't great last season with their 5-7 record overall, but they are still an SEC team that plays in the best conference in football so a win over them in this 1st game will be a huge confidence boost. Florida is also returning a lot of key players like their starting QB so this is a good chance for Miami to make a statement and show the country how good they can be this season. This is also a rivalry game so both teams will bring their best effort, but Miami has more talent on their current roster so this is going to be a big game for Miami if they want to compete in the ACC as a true threat to win the conference. The best way to place a bet here is on Miami to cover the spread in this game. 

Miami Florida Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, August 31, 2024 (3:30 pm ET start time) is Miami 31 Florida 21.

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Miami Hurricanes: 2-9 ATS in the first quarter of their last 11 games. 0-6 (-9.75 units) on the first quarter moneyline in their last 6 games. 6-2 to the over in their last 8 games. 

Florida Gators: 3-0 ATS in the first half of their last 3 games. 3-0 ATS in the first quarter of their last 3 games. 7-1 to the over in their last 8 games. 

Miami Hurricanes:  None.

Florida Gators:  J. Fraziars (WR) - Knee. J. Lyons (DL) - Ankle. A. Jean (WR) - Wrist. C. Carroll (RB) - Knee. G. Hill (TE) - Arm. M. Johnson (RB) - Knee. T. Hawkins (WR) - Shoulder.

“He’s helped us evolve. You’re not limited with him. He can do a lot of things. He’s got a tremendous capacity, a super-high football IQ, and his ability to improvise is sometimes better than the designed play." - Mario Cristobal on Cam Ward coming into this new college football season. 

“Montrell’s doing fantastic. He’s been able to do a few things. We expect him to be able to participate in practice, whether that’s modified and at some point full speed. We’ll give an update, obviously we’re getting ready to turn the page into game week. We’ll give you updates per the timeline up until the game, but we have confidence that Montrell’s doing great and feel good about his return.” - Billy Napier on the injury to Montrell Johnson Jr.

WR Brown, Samuel 

WR George, Jacolby

WR Restrepo, Xavier 

TE McCormick, Cam

QB Ward, Cam 

RB Martinez, Damien

WR Wilson III, Eugene

WR Jackson, Kahleil

WR Dike, Chimere

TE Hansen, Hayden

TE Boardingham, Arlis 

QB Mertz, Graham 

RB Johnson Jr., Montrell 

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Coaches:

Miami Hurricanes: Mario Cristobal (3rd season)

Florida Gators: Billy Napier (3rd season)