Florida football: 2019 underrated opponents – Miami

It’s a rivalry game, and it’s off-site in somewhat neutral territory. What’s not to think this could be a trap game for Florida football?

Ed. Note: This is the first in a series highlighting potential underrated opponents for the Florida football team during the 2019 season.

Many expect it to be a down season for the Miami Hurricanes, but it may not be a good idea to take Florida’s second-biggest in-state rival for granted.

Last season, the Hurricanes went 7-6 overall under Mark Richt with losses to teams like Duke, Boston College and Virginia.

However, they did knock off Florida State and then-nationally ranked Pittsburgh before suffering a 35-3 loss to Wisconsin in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl in New York.

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One of the big returners for the Hurricanes will be redshirt sophomore N’Kosi Perry, who will be playing in his backyard in Orlando.

Perry led the Hurricanes with a passing efficiency of 114.94 while going 97-for-191 with six interceptions on the season. He passed for 1,091 yards and 13 of the Hurricanes’ 19 touchdowns.

But then, there is Tate Martell.

The former Ohio State heir apparent will likely get his first start for the Hurricanes, however, it may be too early for him to make an automatic impact for Miami.

Nonetheless, Martell will be looking for his first collegiate start in three seasons and that could be enough motivation to be dangerous.

Running back DeeJay Dallas is also expected to return after a strong sophomore season that saw him rush for 634 yards on 109 carries. He picked up a team-high six rushing touchdowns in his 13 games on the field.

Offensively, Miami liked to rush the ball, averaging 191.5 yards per game while its defense held opponents to just 143 yards.

In the air, the Hurricanes amassed 2,175 yards for an average of 167.3 per game with both Perry and Malik Rosier.

However, one wild card for the Hurricanes is new head coach Manny Diaz. Diaz spent the three seasons prior to being named head coach as the team’s defensive coordinator, meaning the Hurricanes’ defense should be one to reckon with in August when they meet Florida.

Their defense was ranked No. 2 in total defense and No. 1 in tackles for loss, third-down conversion percentage and passing yards allowed. However, losing defensive end Joe Jackson will be a big hole for Diaz and the Hurricanes to fill.

The Hurricane defense allowed just 1,863 yards rushing and an average of 278 yards of total offense per game last season.

Their defense also lost defensive tackle Gerald Willis, defensive back Jaquan Johnson, cornerback Michael Jackson and defensive back Sheldrick Redwine, which is likely why most pundits are not really sold on the Hurricanes this upcoming season.

However, All-ACC selection Shaquille Quarterman will add some experience to the depleted Miami defense.

The biggest issue for Miami last season was putting up points.

However, it can’t be lost on Gator fans that Florida football lost starting right tackle Jawaan Taylor and three other starting offensive lineman from their squad, so there will be a lot of inexperience in the trenches for both teams come August.

The Hurricane defense held opponents, but with the exception of 77 points against Savannah State (as if that really counted), 49 points at Toledo and 47 points against North Carolina, Miami’s offense was a little stagnant.

Let’s also not lose sight of the fact that this is a renewed rivalry game – the teams haven’t played since Miami beat then-No. 12 Florida 21-16 in 2013.

Diaz will be in his first game as a head coach squaring off with Dan Mullen, who Diaz served as defensive coordinator under Mullen at Mississippi State.

I’m not suggesting this is a loss for Florida … quite the contrary. However, it would be foolhardy for the Gators … and Florida football fans … to look at the Hurricanes as an automatic win, even with their losses on the field.