Florida seeks tone-setting season-opening win vs. No. 19 Miami

GAINESVILLE — Florida coach Billy Napier and Miami’s Mario Cristobal begin pivotal third seasons seeking a fast start at each other’s expense.

The Gators and No. 19 Hurricanes open the 2024 season at the sold-out Swamp following disappointing seasons featuring flat finishes to raise questions about the direction of each program.

Napier and Cristobal can silence naysayers or amplify the noise .

Coming off a 7-6 finish, Miami makes its first trip to Gainesville since 2008 to face a team coming off three consecutive losing seasons — the past two under Napier .

As if the stakes were not high enough, Napier said a Week 1 visit from the Hurricanes further focused his staff and players for the challenge ahead.

“It added an element to our offseason,” he said Wednesday. “It’s brought an edge to our preparation. It’s made us better. Our players, we’re running to the challenge.

“They’ve embraced that.”

Coaches: Mario Cristobal 12-13 (74-73 overall); Billy Napier 11-14 (51-26 overall)

Quick slant: Napier is 9-4 at home at Florida and 2-9 against ranked opponents. Miami leads the overall series 29-27.

About Miami: The Hurricanes hit the transfer portal to overhauled their offense with quarterback Cam Ward (Washington State), tailback Damien Martinez (Oregon State) and receiver Sam Brown (Houston). The trio joins 1,000-yard slot receiver Xavier Restrepo and a talented offensive line anchored by NFL prospect Jalen Rivers at left tackle and 2023 freshman All-American Francis Mauigoa on the other side. Mauigoa’s big brother, Francisco, spearheads a stacked front seven. He and sophomore Rueben Bain Jr., a freshman All-American himself, combined for 15 sacks. The ‘Canes must replace safety Kamren Kinchens, a third-round NFL draft pick, and return only one of five secondary starters, cornerback Daryl Porter Jr. If the game is close, Miami can rely on All-ACC kicker Andres Borregales. He hit 22 of 26 field-goal attempts last season.

About UF: Veteran quarterback Graham Mertz looks to make a Year 2 leap and build on a career renaissance. Sophomore receiver Tre Wilson is a rising star following a 61-catch, 6-touchdown season, but will need someone else to emerge. Wisconsin transfer Chimere Dike, who spent three seasons with Mertz in Madison, is a top candidate. Meanwhile, senior tailback Montrell Johnson, the team’s leading rusher the last two seasons, has been a rock. He returns from minor knee surgery earlier this month. Offensive success, though, will begin up front. UF allowed 22 more sacks and averaged 1.24 yards fewer per carry than 2022. Defensive improvement is imperative on all three levels. Senior tackle Cam Jackson, junior linebacker Shemar James and sophomore safety Jordan Castell will lead their respective units. Punter Jeremy Crawshaw is a unique weapon in the field-position battle. His 48.9-yard average on 42 punts would have ranked second nationally had he qualified.

3 things to watch

Pressure and contain Ward: UF’s pass rush is unproven while Ward’s escapability is a wild card. The Gators’ 22 sacks is 2023 was subpar, as was their ability to contain running quarterbacks the past two seasons. LSU’s Jayden Daniels, Utah’s Cam Rising, Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker, FSU’s Jordan Travis and Arkansas’ KJ Jefferson too often left Florida defenders grasping for air. Ward, who had 13 touchdown runs the past two seasons, must be contained.

Mertz’s downfield passing: A Miami secondary generally featuring transfers and less-proven returners faces a speedy receiving corps and a quarterback determined to attack more. Of Mertz’s 358 passing attempts, just 39 were for 20 yards or more. Of those, he completed 16.

Florida’s special teams: The Gators must tighten up the third phase of the game. UF committed seven penalties on special teams last season, and five times fielded too few players on a special-teams play. Napier hired Joe Houston after four seasons in the NFL to eliminate avoidable miscues.

When: Saturday, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, 3:30

TV: ABC; Radio: AM 540/FM 93.1 WFLF, Sirius/XM 132 or 192

Weather: 92 degrees, 10% rain chance

Favorite: Miami by 2.5 points

Online: orlandosentinel.com/gators ; @edgarthompson on X

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com