Florida vs Miami. It is a game that will garner the attention of college football fanatics and analysts nationwide to watch two programs with drastically different expectations entering the 2024 season battle it out on the gridiron of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Florida head coach Billy Napier highlighted the respect the Miami roster has earned from the Gators staff.
Between the exuberant talent of the Miami roster and preseason projections - countless analysts and fans have deemed the 'Canes an ACC championship contender and a potential candidate for a seed in the expanded College Football Playoff in 2024.
Coach Napier clarified how much he respects the opponent traveling to Gainesville this weekend. Napier has previously stated that the Gators had turned up the heat in the four days before preparing for its matchup with Miami. Yet, he noted the reality: Saturday's matchup in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is one the Florida program has built towards over the previous eight months.
"They have a very talented roster. You do your homework about the recruiting classes, and certainly the players they've added to their team in the portal," Napier said. "So this presents a great challenge, one that I would like to say we've been preparing for going all the way back to January."
If it hasn't become abundantly clear in the last couple of months, the Hurricanes feature no talent shortage. This is not a foreign phenomenon to Napier, however, as he's battled tooth and nail with Cristobal on the recruiting trail and transfer portal during his tenure.
The Gators had the luxury of not needing to acquire a new signal caller for the 2024 campaign with Graham Mertz returning. As for Miami, with Tyler Van Dyke transferring up to Wisconsin, the 'Canes had to make a big-time move, and they did.
In comes Cam Ward from Washington State. One of the most productive quarterbacks in 2023 and arguably the most talented signal-caller to go through the Miami program in some time.
Ward wasn't a high-profile recruit coming out of high school, which led him to play his first two seasons at Incarnate Ward before his time at Wazzu. As the starter in 2021, Ward totaled 4,468 passing yards and 47 touchdowns to 10 interceptions with a 65.1% completion percentage.
Ward made an instant impact for the Washington State Cougars in the final two years of the Pac-12 conference, totaling 6,829 passing yards and 48 touchdowns to 15 interceptions with a 65.35% completion percentage. Ward also added 13 touchdowns on the ground.
Now in his third program in his collegiate career, Cam Ward is projected to be one of the top players, let alone quarterbacks, in the ACC. He was named the AP Preseason ACC Player of the Year earlier this month.
"I feel like I've been watching Cam Ward forever," Napier said. "No, I think he's obviously been very productive. You look at the yards, the touchdowns, the completion percentage, multiple stops. I do think that his ability to extend the play is a part of the game, will be a key factor in the game. But he's got arm talent."
"They've got a great group of skill, an incredible group of linemen to protect. The tight end group has athleticism and size. They have a really good surrounding cast to go along with a guy who is a very accomplished quarterback. Heck, even as a transfer, they got him picked to be the preseason player of the year in the ACC. Obviously highly regarded."
The Miami defense is loaded with playmakers, highlighted by sophomore Reuben Bain. In his inaugural college football season, Bain compiled 44 tackles, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and PBU. His freshman campaign earned him the No. 16 ranking in 247Sports' Top 20 defensive players in college football in 2024.
"I think they've got a whole group of front seven players that can create issues for you," said Napier. "Bain, yeah, I think he's just really unique. Loose-hipped, twitchy power. He's instinctive. I think he played as a rookie, he was physically ready. Comes from a great program there at Central."
"Had a good fundamental base. He was able to get there midyear and be a factor as a freshman. We anticipate him even being better in year two. That will certainly be one of the key matchups of the game, to go along with several other players up front."
Napier is familiar with his head coaching counterpart for Saturday, Mario Cristobal. The duo spent four seasons together on Nick Saban's staff in Tuscaloosa from 2013 to 2016. Cristobal was the assistant head coach, offensive line coach, and recruiting coordinator, while Napier prioritized the development of wide receivers.
There's a great degree of mutual respect between the former colleagues, both coaches noted Monday.
"Hard worker, really good person," Cristobal said Monday. "You know, it certainly was a pretty interesting collection of coaches back then (at Alabama). We all took a ton of pride in our work and working for coach Saban and had a lot of success together. Certainly have a tremendous amount of respect for him. Great family man. as well."
"We have familiarity. Their head coach and I worked together for four years in the past," Napier said. "I had tremendous respect. Very passionate. I think he took pride, tremendous pride, in his role. I love his family. Just a great human being. We were in the trenches on offense. We were in the trenches together in recruiting. There's certainly a relationship there. It's an added element to the game, to some degree."
It should not be underestimated the impact of the coach's relationship with one another in Saturday's matchup. This avenue of the game has flown under the radar compared to the discussions surrounding the team's rosters.
The Gators and 'Canes may have spent the previous eight months preparing for a 60-minute brawl in Gainesville. However, the staff's familiarity with each other extends far beyond this season and should impact the respective decision-making come kickoff.