Welcome back, Canes fans!
It’s rivalry week this week! Your Miami Hurricanes host the hated rival Florida Gators on Saturday night at Hard Rock Stadium. It figures to be a star studded event, with tons of celebrities, fans, and recruits on hand to check out the action. Hell, College GameDay AND ACC Huddle will be on-campus in Coral Gables for their morning preview shows. Basically, everybody wants to see Canes-Gators.
I figured it was time to bring everyone back together to talk about the season thus far, and look at this week’s rivalry game. So, we’re back with another roundtable discussion for you.
Let’s get into it
Question 1: Miami is undefeated at 3-0 and ranked #4 in the country. How are you feeling heading into this week’s rivalry game against Florida?
Cam Underwood: I feel good. Confident, not cocky, and fully enjoying the journey of this season. Miami is showing themselves to be one of the toughest, most physical teams in the country, and everyone in the CFB world is taking notice. The major upgrade has been the defense, a porous unit that cost Miami a trip to the ACC Championship Game and College Football Playoffs last year has turned into a fast, physical unit of monsters. The offense is as good as I expected, and things are going to plan through 3 weeks. There’s still a long way to go, and work to be done even this week, but yeah, I feel good about where things stand.
Justin Dottavio: I’m feeling both cocky and confident. If the ‘Canes defense can keep DJ Lagway as bottled up as they did USF’s Byrum Brown the Gators have no chance. Carson Beck has taken a few risky shots, which honestly is a good thing given his inclination for safe play. One has turned out poorly, another INT wasn’t his fault (Toney’s Jordan’esque leap). This is a big one. To be 4-0 and have beaten ND, UF and USF heading into the first off week and FSU prep is huge.
Craig T. Smith: I feel good, as the Miami Hurricanes are looking like what I need them to look to have confidence in games like this: dominance in the trenches. Miami looks like a physical force on both sides of the ball, so that gives me the belief they can keep the good times rolling. And they’re coming out quickly and decisively. Scoring first, taking leads early. The offense has been surgical with Carson Beck under center, and the defense couldn’t look much more different than the end of last year.
Mike Schiffman: Confident. The Canes have looked good on both sides of the ball in all three games so far this season. Their offensive and defensive lines have been borderline dominant. Carson Beck has been everything Coach Cristobal and his program could have asked for. Beyond those on-field results, I love the way Miami’s attitude against USF. The Canes had an opening-drive touchdown, forced a punt, then scored another touchdown to go up 14-0. That aggressive start won the game and is exactly what they need to keep doing against Florida and beyond: don’t overlook any opponent and stay aggressive.
John Michaels: Excited! These games do not come around often enough, as Florida chickened out of this anual rivalry game years ago, so anytime Miami and Florida get to play, its great. The Canes feel like a national title contemder, but will undoubtly get Floridas best punch. Billy Napier is on a hot seat, and DJ Lagway has struggled, but much like last years FSU game, Miami needs to come in and dominate.
Jake Marcus: Very confident. Miami just destroyed the team that the Gators were upset by the week prior. That said, Florida kept it close last week against the number three LSU Tigers – in spite of five interceptions thrown by DJ Lagway. Add in the rivalry factor, needing revenge after last year’s 41-17 Miami win, and head coach Billy Napier realizing his seat is blistering hot, there is a chance Florida could make things interesting. Even if that is the case, the Canes should be able to continue their winning ways before the bye and a trip to FSU.
Rob Weaver: Supremely confident – my 11-1 prediction is looking better and better!! We can’t celebrate a successful season a quarter of the way in, but Miami’s past their first two ranked-team tests with flying colors.
Jordan Lopez: I’ve been impressed. I knew going into the season that the roster was extremely talented and probably the deepest team Miami has had in quite a while. It was just a matter of, I have to see it to believe it. We’ve been tricked many times before, of “The U being back,” so I went into the season cautiously optimistic. But wow, they have shown through three weeks that times are really different in Miami. Going into this game with Florida, I am ultra confident due to the path the Gators are heading and all of the momentum the Canes have. The Hurricanes are physical and talented, and this game can get really ugly for the team in Gainesville.
Question 2: Carson Beck has come in to lead Miami’s offense after the departure of Cam Ward. How are you feeling about the new QB1?
Underwood: Again, I feel good. I said for most of the offseason that the consensus of “Beck sucks” was way overblown, and he was going to prove people wrong. He’s done that so far, proving me right that he’s a top 5 (maybe top 3) QB in the country, and his combination of skill and experience is a perfect addition to this program for this season. Beck is hungry, looks like he loves football again, and has become one of the leading voices for this team. I’m glad he’s the QB here. Oh, and did I mention he’s leading the country in completion percentage, is getting rave reviews across the media landscape, and is the new favorite for the Heisman Trophy? Cuz, he is.
Dottavio: I think Beck has done a fantastic job so far. I love how he keeps his eyes downfield, and he shuffles and keeps his shoulders and hips forward. He’s leading and not making it about him. I’m really enjoying watching him play ball.
Smith: I laughed before at the talking heads who acted like Beck was the problem at Georgia. He was outstanding when I watched him play. I mean, he was freaking 24-3 as a starter there. What are we doing, people? Anywho, we’re seeing in Miami with Shannon Dawson that he indeed is one of the very best in the country. Couldn’t be happier for him and for Miami’s offense.
Schiffman: Great. Beck has been worth every penny so far this season. He has adapted well to Shannon Dawson’s offense. He seemingly has completely recovered from his UCL injury that kept him out of spring ball. He has made every throw on the field. He isn’t afraid to get dirty and run for a first down. He is a leader of this offense and team as a whole. He loves playing for the Miami Hurricanes. He’s great. Oh yeah, I said that at the beginning.
Michaels: I told you so….ok well maybe it isn’t I told you so on this platform, but to anyone who would listen during the off-season, I was all in on Carson Beck. He was unfairly criticized for a good 2024 campaign at UGA, and has fit in perfectly in Miami. Through 3 games, we could not have asked for anything better, and we have our 2nd straight Heisman contender.
Marcus: You mean the Heisman favorite Carson Beck? Very good. There were a lot of question marks with the transfer after an underwhelming 2024 campaign and a late season injury, but he has delivered. Shannon Dawson has dialed up an amazing offensive play call led by one of the best offensive lines in the nation, making it easy for Beck to thrive. Oh and some epic catches from veterans and freshman alike – CJ Daniels, Joshua Moore, Keelan Marion, and Malachi Toney – has made it a fun watch in the early goings. Back-to-back first overall picks?
Weaver: Fan-freaking-tastic. Depending on which book you’re looking at, he’s either leading the Heisman odds or close to it. Can’t ask for a stronger start than that.
Lopez: I’m feeling great about Carson Beck. He has reverted to his old self and looks like a professional quarterback. There was a reason why many had him winning the Heisman last season, and many NFL scouts had him as a first-round pick. Now in Miami, he has a fresh start, looks rejuvenated, and is playing great football. Looking poised and like a seasoned vet. I couldn’t be happier seeing Beck playing the way he is playing. Shannon Dawson and company have done a phenomenal job, and I expect it to continue as well.
Question 3: Florida has struggled to a 1-2 record after consecutive losses to USF and LSU. What are your earlier impressions of the Gators?
Underwood: They’ve been a bit unlucky and also bad. Things are heating up in Gainesville for everyone associated with that program, and for good reason. The Gators are talented, but they’ve really, really struggled to put things together. I mean, I hate UF so I delight in their struggles, but I’m also aware that they hear the noise, they feel the pressure and tension after losses to USF and LSU, and they’re going to do everything they can to save their coach and their season with a solid effort this week.
Dottavio: They’re losing but if you throw 5 picks and it still takes a pick 6 in order to lose by double-digits you could absolutely steal one you should lose (ie. the game on Saturday). They are penalized and their turnover margin is horrific.
Smith: Undisciplined. That’s been my biggest takeaway when I’ve seen them play. Whether that’s stupid penalties like at the end of the USF loss or mistakes on the field, like DJ Lagway throwing the ball to LSU players five times last Saturday, they’ve been their own worst enemy at times. However, I think if they reduce those greatly, they have enough talent to challenge just about anybody on the country, so I’m not sleeping on them this week, especially with their backs up against the wall.
Schiffman: Underwhelmed. I bought into the DJ Lagway hype in the offseason as someone who listens to other smarter people talk about college football. He looks the part of an awesome college quarterback, but hasn’t been able to get it done on a consistent basis. His five interceptions, including one pick-six, cost the Gators the game at LSU last week. Besides Lagway, Florida beats themselves with too many bad penalties and uninspiring play calling. On the positive side, their defense has been good and kept them in games. Coach Cristobal has to be emphasizing to his squad that Florida is a desperate team that will play their best game of the season this Saturday.
Michaels: I don’t care! If Florida loses 10 games, or wins 11 games, fires Billy Napier or gives him a lifetime extension, they are not my concern. Unlike their fanbase who obsesses over Miami for 365 days a year, I could give two damns about their season. Never once did I buy into the off-season hype surrounding them. Their defense is good, and their offense is predictible and boring. DJ Lagway has dissapointed so far.
Marcus: The play call leaves a ton to be desired. They have a ton of talent but have been their own worst enemy and Lagway has been awful. That said, they at least kept it a close game last week against the number three LSU Tigers (in spite of Lagway’s five interceptions). The problem with the Gators is it doesn’t get any easier as they have a gauntlet of a schedule and face opponents that all could be ranked at some point during the season. 2-10 – or worse – is very much on the table if this uninspiring play continues.
Weaver: Disappointed. Rivalries are better when your rival is doing well. Fans talk crap to each other for a week, then someone wins and gloats for a few days (or months if you’re a Michigan fan), and we move on. Florida Gator fans are dead silent so far this week, and understandably so considering how their season has started. The one silver lining for the Gators is that their defense looks pretty stout and could pose a stiff challenge for Miami.
Lopez: If I’m being honest, my early impression of the Gators is how bad DJ Lagway has been. There was a lot of hype about him going into the season, and he has not even lived up to one percent of the hype. The team is somewhat talented, yet poorly coached. The quarterback just threw five interceptions in a crucial (and also winnable) game against LSU, and the team looks deflated. I know Billy Napier had the team rally at the end of the last season and showed some fight, but I think time has run its course. This is the type of game that can change a program, depending on how the game goes. I’ve seen many Florida fans asking for it on social media, and quite frankly, I believe it happens. Saturday night will be the last game Napier coaches for the Gators.
Question 4: Miami enters as 8.5pt favorites over Florida. What would it take for the Canes to earn victory on Saturday?
Underwood: Keep things rolling. Miami has been dominant along both lines of scrimmage, with a vast rotation of offensive and defensive skill players making big plays when their number is called. From Malachi Toney to Joshua Moore to CJ Daniels to Keelan Marion to Bryce Fitzgerald to Akheem Mesidor to Rueben Bain Jr — the destroyer of worlds — Miami’s stars have lived up to their reputations. Keep doing that, clean up the issues identified on film, and win.
Dottavio: Avoid the muck of penalties and the little fights that’ll brew. Control the football and let Lagway lose it while Beck wins it. And don’t give up those scramble drill TD throws. Do those things and you’ll be GREAT against a team like UF.
Smith: Don’t take Florida lightly. Come in with hit, stick, bust d*ck, talk sh*t mentality that I’ve seen through three games thus far. Maintain that level of physicality on both sides of the ball that we’ve seen. Hammer them on the ground and impose your will. And don’t turn the ball over and give Florida short fields. This defense is more than good enough to hold its own if you can keep from giving Lagway a short off ramp to the end zone. That would be a great equalizer for Florida. Be tough and smart.
Schiffman: Keep doing what they’ve been doing through three games. If Miami wins both lines of scrimmage, they will probably win the game. The other main thing for me is no mental breakdowns. The Canes can’t afford to give up easy points to a reeling Florida team. A pick-six, return touchdown, or long score caused by a Miami defensive breakdown would give the Gators the confidence I don’t want them to have.
Michaels: Play like Miami has for the 1st 3 games. As long as the Canes continue to dominate on both lines of scrimmage, it will be tough for Florida to win. DJ Lagway was under continuos pressure from LSU, and Miami’s front four should live in the backfield. On offense, plays will be avaialble as long as the protection holds up, and I’m not sure they can cover Miami’s recievers.
Marcus: Keys to the win will be pretty much the keys to their game plan the first three weeks. Miami has playmakers in all facets in the game and are playing steady football. The trenches on both sides are among the best in the nation and make it easy for Beck to deliver to all his weapons while also allowing the defense to smother their counterparts on defense.
Weaver: What they’ve been doing – command both lines of scrimmage and play disciplined ball. Beck has trusted his receivers to make one-on-one plays, but otherwise has been pretty methodical spreading it around thanks to his line giving him way more time than he ever had at big games in Georgia. On the other side, Mesidor and Bain and need to continue to terrorize their backfield forcing Lagway into another pick fest.
Lopez: Despite the struggles and all the things that are transpiring in Gainesville, it’s still a rivalry game. The players are still going to be juiced and play with extra motivation. The key to this game is to put Florida out of its misery early. If the Canes can get out to a fast start and punch them in the mouth in the first quarter, you’ll see the Gators quit on the field. The negative vibes surrounding that team and knowing the trajectory they are heading will deflate them and have them in a “here we go again” type mentality. Physically dominate them early, and they will give you the game. After that, we can party.
Question 5: Florida QB D.J. Lagway has STRUGGLED this year. What are you expecting from him against Miami?
Underwood: Lagway is talented, but he’s looked real bad. His future potential is lower in my eyes than it was before the season. Lagway has all the physical talent in the world. He was Mr Football in Texas and a 5-star recruit for a reason. But that player we saw in HS is not the same one that’s playing in Gainesville right now. Lagway struggles more reading coverages than I remember him doing, and yeah, his 5 interception disasterpiece performance at LSU last week is the most recent data point we have, but in general, he just seems out of sorts so far this year. I said before their team would work to save their coach and their season and that effort starts at the feet of #2.
Dottavio: In the past a world beater performance like Diaz, Guidry, etc. would have given up. I’m giving Corey Hetherman the nod that he won’t allow a Tom Brady performance out of Lagway. Force him to beat you with intermediate throws and he’ll fold.
Smith: No clue. He has befuddled me a bit as a player this year. He has all the talent in the world that if he puts it together, he could have a big game on Saturday night. But you have to wonder what in the world he was thinking on a number of plays against LSU. He looked a bit lost out there with a touchdown and 5 picks. But Miami’s defense had better have the mindset that it was 5 touchdowns and 1 pick, because he has that ability in him. Somewhere.
Schiffman: I honestly have no idea. I talked about his disappointing start to this season above. He could throw three interceptions and lose a fumble, while completing 40% of his passes, or he could throw for 300 yards, run for 50 more, and score four touchdowns. I doubt the latter is likely, but I am too nervous to assume Lagway will not play well in one of the biggest games of his young college career.
Michaels: More struggles. He was seeing ghosts against LSU, and I expect more of the same against Miami. Miami sould get a few turnovers, which should make life easy for the Miami offense. Lagway has a ton of talent but it just is not working at Florida.
Marcus: When Lagway relieved Graham Mertz last year in the Miami vs. UF opener, there were signs he could be a great college QB. However, he has since come back down to earth. Throwing five interceptions against LSU last week was about as low as it can get and it seems he may still be dealing with his shoulder injury that held him out of spring practice (and stems from high school). Lagway has the potential to erupt at any moment so Miami cannot downplay his capabilities, but if the woes continue it would seem that Lagway is dealing with a more significant injury issue (I’m purely speculating here).
Weaver: Him constantly running for his life even when Miami only brings four rushers.
Lopez: I’m expecting DJ Lagway to struggle against Miami. After throwing five interceptions against LSU, I feel like there is enough film on him to get him out of his comfort zone. Playing on the road and in Hard Rock Stadium, where it’s going to be one of the better atmospheres Miami has had, it’s going to be difficult for him. The defense has been flying around and playing with a confidence we haven’t seen before. They know that they can feast against this Gators offense, and with all that adrenaline and juice on Saturday night, this defense will be playing with a ferocious intensity.
Question 6: On a scale of 1 (sun tanning on the beach) to 10 (bathing in lava), how hot is Billy Napier’s hot seat right now?
Underwood: 8.5-9. There’s a scenario where the wrong result/margin of defeat against Miami this week brings his tenure to an immediate end. We’ve already seen UCLA and Virginia Tech fire their embattled coaches, and there’s a world where Florida makes the same choice with Napier. It’s HOT hot for Napier right about now.
Dottavio: His threads are on fire, baby. Dead. Man. Walking. after losing this game.
Smith: What’s hotter than bathing in lava? Going for a jog on the surface of the sun? Somewhere between those two.
Schiffman: 9? I am slightly hedging my bet with that number, but its seems like he’ll be gone after this season. Now, if the Gators win their next three games against #4 Miami, #8 Texas, and #10 Texas A&M, then he’s probably not going anywhere. As much as I don’t like to guarantee anything in the wobbly world of college football, that seems unlikely.
Michaels: 10. His seat is hotter than Halle Berry in Boomerang. With the remaioning gauntlet, there is bery little chamce he survives this season.
Marcus: 10+. College football has already seen firings in UCLA and Virginia Tech and Sunbelt Billy’s seat is arguably hotter than that. The Gators have the toughest schedule so unless Napier is able to rip off some upsets, UF is headed to a 2-10 record that includes his firing.
Weaver: 10. This has to be a week-to-week evaluation for Napier. If Saturday is a blowout loss, I think he’s canned. If it’s at least as close as the LSU game, he might get another week. UCLA and VT already pulled the trigger on firing their coaches after 0-3 season starts. Does it matter that Florida’s 3 losses would be to ranked teams? Not to Florida fans, especially when USF at home was one of those losses.
Lopez: It’s undoubtedly a 10. They have real expectations heading into the season, with DJ Lagway and the potential to make noise in the SEC. Whether it was justified or not is a different story. Many national analysts and pundits were high on them, yet they have failed once again. I’ve said it in here and have been saying it, I believe this game on Saturday will change the Gators’ program.
And that brings us to the end of the first part of our Canes-Gators rivalry week 2025 roundtable. Which contributor do you most align your thoughts with? Who is WAY off base?
Talk it up, Canes fam. We’re back with part 2 of our roundtable tomorrow.
