Things are looking rough for the Florida football program and things do not get much easier this weekend.
The Gators will head down the turnpike to face the Miami Hurricanes in Week 4 — a rematch in the home-and-home series in which the Orange and Blue got spanked last year in the Swamp, 41-17. Fortunately, Billy Napier’s crew was able to rebound after that, but things look a lot more grim coming into this fall’s gridiron battle.
With just one win against a pair of losses, Florida really needs to show up at Hard Rock Stadium this Saturday. But after witnessing the Canes’ dismantling of the USF Bulls — who beat the Gators on their own turf in Week 2 — it is difficult for the average fan to have much confidence going in.
Ahead of the fourth week of play for Napier and Co., the Gators Wire staff offers their expert predictions for Saturday’s rivalry game.
‘It’s hard to ignore how much last week’s collapse at LSU lingers’
“Florida heads into Miami with more pressure on Billy Napier than at any point in his tenure, and it’s hard to ignore how much last week’s collapse at LSU lingers over this matchup. DJ Lagway is coming off a five-interception performance, and while his upside is obvious, expecting him to bounce back cleanly on the road feels like a stretch.
“Miami’s defense will test his composure, and if Napier’s offense struggles early—something that has become a theme—the Gators could find themselves chasing from behind again.” — Aidan Gallardo
PREDICTION: Miami 28, Florida 21
‘It’s officially DOOM time until proven otherwise’
“It’s officially DOOM time until proven otherwise. The defense is solid, but the odds of DJ Lagway turning things around completely in just one week are low. He probably won’t throw five interceptions, but Napier should lean on the run game a lot more until Lagway figures out how to make good reads again.
“We’ve seen him do it before. The defenses have adjust, and now it’s time for him to adjust back. That’s what elite quarterbacks do.
“Maybe it’s another close one if Florida’s offense bounces back, but no one is picking the Gators after the last two weeks.” — David Rosenberg
PREDICTION: Miami 34, Florida 24
‘I fear the Gators are next in line for a whooping’
“The Gators once again put up an unimpressive performance last week against LSU, with the offense still struggling to find its identity; meanwhile, the defense appears to be finding its footing. However, the Tigers’ attack has hardly been one to fear so far this fall, so I am not entirely sure I’m confident in Florida’s defensive corps either.
“Frankly, I have not seen anything in the first three games that gives me even a wink of confidence against this Miami team. After seeing how they dismantled the Bulls, I fear the Gators are next in line for a whooping.” — Adam Dubbin
PREDICTION: Miami 38, Florida 17
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Expert predictions for Florida football’s Week 4 matchup with the Miami Hurricanes
Reporting by Adam Dubbin, Aidan Gallardo and David Rosenberg, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
