Florida, Miami meet in 2019 opener
The 2019 College Football season is getting closer and closer with each passing week. The season will get started on Aug. 24 when Miami faces off with Florida. Here’s a look at the opening odds.
According to the latest oddsmakers, Florida is the clear favorite in this game, as the Gators are getting odds of -7.5 points against Miami. These two are set to meet on Saturday, Aug. 24 at 7PM ET from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The contest will air live on ESPN.
Bet on College Football Futures Odds
Florida had a strong 2018 season, going 10-3 while finishing seventh in the closing rankings. The Gators won their last four games of the year, including a 41-15 win over Michigan in the Peach Bowl. Dan Mullen was in his first season as head coach of the Gators and has fans thinking big things this upcoming season. Florida gave up just 20.4 points and 339 yards per game on defense last year while putting up 35 points and 427 yards per contest on offense. Quarterback Feleipe Franks returns to Florida at QB next fall. He threw for 2,457 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2018 while also rushing for 350 yards and seven scores.
Miami is coming off a 7-6 record in the 2018 season. The Canes lost five of their last seven games to really have a potentially strong season fall apart. They suffered a 35-3 loss to Wisconsin in the NewEra Pinstripe Bowl. That led to head coach Mark Richt deciding to retire after three seasons as head coach. Manny Diaz takes over the program after being the defensive coordinator the last three years. He inherits a team that that struggled on offense last season, averaging just 28.8 points and 359 yards per game. Defensively, Miami ranked third nationally by giving up just 18.2 points and 268 yards per game. The Hurricanes added Ohio State transfer QB Tate Martell to the roster in the offseason and could be the starting QB to start the season, but will be battling with N’Kosi Perry and Jarren Williams for the job. Perry threw for 1,091 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.
These two teams haven’t met since 2013 where Miami picked up a 21-16 victory. The Hurricanes have actually won seven of the last eight meetings, dating back to 1986.