Miami Hurricanes Week 4 Preview: Florida Gators

---

Miami, Florida – Now that South Florida has been dealt with, the fourth-ranked Miami Hurricanes can focus on another state showdown versus the Florida Gators. The latest edition of the storied rivalry returns to Hard Rock Stadium after UM crushed the Gators 41-17 to open the 2024 season. Miami not only knocked out starting quarterback Graham Mertz but also made a statement, turning Gainesville into Canesville for a weekend. Trailing the all-time series 30-27, revenge is on Florida’s mind. The U held the edge in the 1980s and 2000s, eras where the program was winning national championships.

Miami forced 5️⃣ turnovers the last time the Gators came to town 😤 @CanesFootball | @MiamiHurricanes | #ItsAllAboutTheU pic.twitter.com/VvBj4qU42q

— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) September 19, 2025

The Gators are traveling into town at 1-2, hoping to avoid a three-game skid following losses to the Bulls (18-16) and to third-ranked LSU (20-10). The Canes have climbed further up the Top 25 rankings and look to show who runs the state. Billy Napier is in his fourth year with UF, and fans there are clamoring for success. The program’s 29th head coach finished the season 8-5, including a bowl game win over Tulane. Although he’s in the middle of a seven-year contract, folks wonder whether Napier is the man going forward. If the Gators keep sliding, the calls for his ouster will grow. Miami remains focused, knowing full well there is plenty left to prove as they wrap up their non-conference schedule.

Miami has DOMINATED the last 40 years pic.twitter.com/mLJyqYHGZo

— Hard Rock Bet (@HardRockBet) September 17, 2025

Miami Hurricanes

Carson Beck

Saturday, @CollegeGameDay shares a sit-down interview between @DesmondHoward & @CanesFootball QB Carson Beck to learn about his journey from Georgia to Miami
 
📺 9a ET | ESPN, ESPNU, Disney+ pic.twitter.com/8OoeBctrxk

— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) September 19, 2025

The streak had to end sometime. Carson Beck threw two picks versus South Florida, but he still managed to complete 23 of 28 passes for 340 yards and three touchdowns. Throw in the rushing TD, and it was a good performance overall. Beck mentioned that one was an overthrow and the other was a poor decision, and stated that although they won, there’s room for improvement. The signal caller has tallied 812 yards, including seven touchdowns in 2025. Miami’s star QB has a golden opportunity to clean it up and put on a clinic against the Gators.

Bryce Fitzgerald

Freshman Safety Bryce Fitzgerald in his Miami debut vs. Notre Dame:

🙌 9 third-down package snaps
🙌 8 of 9 snaps in coverage
🙌 74.2 Defensive Grade
🙌 76.2 Tackling Grade
🙌 75.8 Pass Coverage Grade
🙌 1 Defensive Stop

Small sample size, but encouraging looking ahead. https://t.co/3G4Wq7Jgex pic.twitter.com/ZyXYO4w9jk

— Geo Milian (@GeoMilian) September 4, 2025

The freshman is off to a good start in the season, collecting a pair of interceptions in the past two games. Bryce Fitzgerald has a decent chance of making it three in a row, given the five interceptions Florida’s quarterback tossed at LSU. The young man is demonstrating his capabilities on the team, and I look forward to his continued development throughout the rest of the year. Fitzgerald is considered one of the top safeties in the country coming out of high school and is a consensus four-star defensive back.

Keelan Marion

Keelan Marion has been a pleasant surprise so far this season and Carson Beck absolutely dotted this double move but look at my offensive line man🥺 pic.twitter.com/v0PV5JirIE

— Jesus Shuttelsworth (@PlutoCane_23) September 15, 2025

He is the latest in making his presence known. Keelan Marion caught six passes for 81 yards, and I have to say that the wide receiver unit is pretty crowded. Beck has done a great job distributing the ball, allowing several players to stand out. We saw CJ Daniels’ excellent catches, Malachi Toney’s emergence, and now we saw plays involving Marion and Joshua Moore. I think it’s safe to say the WR1 and WR2 are Daniels and Toney, but what about the rest of the depth chart? Marion might make a case for himself in week four.

Florida Gators

DJ Lagway

100 Days, 100 plays until @CanesFootball returns next season 🙌

Day 69: Jaden Harris picks off DJ Lagway in the season opener 🫣 pic.twitter.com/3GTTxpzisK

— Sebastian Font (@S_Font_Sports) July 31, 2025

Oof. Folks hyped up DJ Lagway, and now it’s not looking good. Florida’s starter threw an eye-popping five interceptions in the 20-10 loss to LSU, and I’ve wondered whether he’s going to be the Saturday starter. Lagway could find himself benched midgame in a similar scenario. For the season, he’s recorded 629 yards, including five touchdowns and six interceptions. He saw little action in last year’s tilt, completing three of six passes for 31 yards and an INT while rushing for 20. UM’s defense should feast, and we may see the deployment of backup Tramell Jones Jr.

Vernell Brown III

Vernell Brown III is RIDICULOUS! pic.twitter.com/arNXAsjIXp

— Florida Victorious (@Fl_Victorious) August 31, 2025

The Gainesville-born freshman leads the group with 16 catches for 197 yards. Vernell Brown III was a bright spot in an otherwise bad performance from the offense, recording eight receptions for 62 yards. Although he’s yet to taste a touchdown pass, the youngster is due. Brown also handles kick and punt returns, handling seven punts for 128 yards, with the best being a 40-yarder against USF. His lone kick return was 25. In other words, he can consistently give his team better field position.

Jadan Baugh

THE GATORS ARE COOKIN' IN THE SWAMP 🔥

A 55-YARD TOUCHDOWN FROM JADAN BAUGH 🙌 pic.twitter.com/oGxaBf7QzR

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 17, 2024

We’ve got us another young gun this time for the ground game. Hailing from Atlanta, Jadan Baugh has 37 carries for 243 yards and a touchdown. Averaging 6.6 yards a carry, the running back not only ran the ball 10 times for 46 yards, but also had seven receptions for 59 yards in last week’s game. The sole touchdown was scored during the season opener against Long Island. For 2024, Jadan rushed for 673 yards and seven TDs.

Prediction

Miami will likely get off to a fast start, scoring on its opening drive to set the tone. If they can put the Gators in an early hole and win the turnover battle, the Hurricanes will pull away with a convincing win. Rattling Lagway will be key even if Florida’s defense somehow proves stingy. Part of the reason why USF lingered is that the knockout blow didn’t come until late in the third quarter. Allowing explosive plays buoyed their drives, and the Canes can’t allow that versus the Gators. The final score will be 34-17, in favor of the Hurricanes.

About Post Author