FLORIDA -7 vs MIAMI

The College Football season kicks off with a big bang Saturday Night as Florida and Miami square off in Orlando. The interstate rivals used to battle each other regularly for not only control of the Sunshine State but for all of college football. Of course the group from Tallahassee took their shots as well. The Gators have a significant lead over the Canes in the return to prominence as they finished 10-3 under first year Head Coach Dan Mullen including a 45-15 win over Michigan to close the season. Miami also closed the season against a Big 10 opponent but with much different results getting bullied by Wisconsin 48-10 in the Pinstripe Bowl. However, it is a new era in Miami as native son Manny Diaz takes over the coaching reigns. Ironically Diaz served as Mullen’s Defensive Coordinator during part of his tenure at Mississippi State and produced positive results. Florida is breaking in all new starters on its offensive line, and should Miami come into Orlando with a chip on its shoulder led by its elite linebacker corps things could get interesting. However, the Gators have a proven established veterans presence at many other positions particularly at Quarterback where Felipe Franks flourished under Mullen’s tutelage. Their offensive skill positions should be strong too as well as their defensive backfield led by All-American cornerback CJ Henderson. Florida is a consensus -7 favorite across the Mississippi Gulf Coast Casinos and I have to agree. Final score prediction: Florida 27 – Miami 14

(To be used for entertainment purposes only, not for making actual gambling decisions)