For the second time in three weeks, the Florida Gators football team will square off against a Sunshine State squad. The Gators will flock south in the 58th rendition of the Florida-Miami rivalry. As of late, the Hurricanes have dominated UF, losing only twice in the last nine contests.
As week 4 of the college football season looms large, the University of Florida football is slated to face yet another elite opponent. The Gators will travel to Miami this week under the lights to play the fourth-ranked Canes.
Despite all of America predicting who is in and out of this year's College Football Playoff, Florida still has a fighter's chance to break into its first CFP, given the schedule that still looms large. However, the margin for error is next to zero at this point.
Just Keep Swimming
During this week's press conference, head coach Billy Napier said UF is taking steps in the right direction but needs to see more offensive stability.
"Find a way to play with more consistency on offense moving forward," Napier said. "I am always of the opinion that when the student maybe struggles on the test, as the teacher you have to take a good look in the mirror."
Miami has a strong running backs room, including Mark Fletcher Jr. and ChaMar Brown. Fletcher Jr. is averaging 6.5 yards-per-attempt while his large frame may cause chaos for defenses. Speaking of defense, Miami's D has turned up the heat, especially when thwarting the run.
Another talking point of Miami is Carson Beck, the Georgia transfer who has rebounded from a rough 2024 season after a solid 2023 campaign. Beck has the resume and track record to go head-to-head with any quarterback in the country. The Canes are averaging 486 yards-per-game on offense.
For the Gators quarterback play, Napier says he has an idea on how to help Lagway's recent play.
"I think conceptually, I think exposing him {Lagway} to some of those things during a week of prep," Napier said. "Continue coach and continue the practice environment."
Lagway's completion percentage (71 percent) hasn't been the talking point of 2025. Lagway has been known to miss the deep balls in 2025 and threw five interceptions last week at LSU.
Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal has the Hurricanes primed for a top-10 seed in the upcoming CFP. Cristobal spoke on this weekend's matchup and the current temperature of the Hurricanes.
"We finished up against USF and preparations began immediately for Florida this week," Cristobal said. "The state championship in the state of Florida is always going to be one of the highest goals we set, it's certainly very prominent."
Cristobal also spoke on UF's size, speed, and strength.
"Good technique, schemetacially challenging and powerful at the line of scrimmage," Cristobal said "Large secondary, large guys who can cover a lot of space. Very talented football team and very well coached football team."
Florida has not won at Miami since 1985. Kickoff is Scheduled for 7:30p.m. on ABC.