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Florida Gators vs. Miami Hurricanes: A College Football Rivalry Reignited
A Look at the History and Future of One of College Football's Most Storied Matchups
Rivalry to Watch in 2023
The Florida Gators and Miami Hurricanes are two of the most storied programs in college football history, with a combined 10 national championships and countless All-Americans. The two schools are also located just a few hours apart, which has helped to fuel a passionate rivalry that dates back to 1938.
The Gators currently hold a 33-27-1 advantage in the series, but the Hurricanes have won two of the past three meetings. In 2023, the two teams will meet on September 2nd in Gainesville, Florida. The game is expected to be one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the college football season.
Billy Napier and Mario Cristobal: Two New Coaches, One Historic Rivalry
Both the Gators and Hurricanes have new head coaches in 2023 – Billy Napier and Mario Cristobal, respectively. Napier comes to Gainesville after a successful tenure at Louisiana, where he led the Ragin' Cajuns to three Sun Belt Conference championships. Cristobal, meanwhile, returns to Miami after a successful stint at Oregon. He was the head coach of the Ducks for four seasons and led them to two Pac-12 championships.
Both Napier and Cristobal are known for their offensive prowess, so the 2023 Florida-Miami game could be a high-scoring affair. Napier's offense at Louisiana was known for its use of the running back, while Cristobal's offense at Oregon was known for its passing attack.
Running Backs to Watch: Trevor Etienne, Jaylan Knighton
One of the most important players in any football game is the running back. In the 2023 Florida-Miami game, two of the top running backs in the country will be on display – Trevor Etienne of the Gators and Jaylan Knighton of the Hurricanes.
Etienne is the younger brother of former Clemson running back Travis Etienne, who was a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Trevor Etienne has shown flashes of being just as good as his older brother. In 2022, he rushed for 984 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Knighton, meanwhile, is a transfer from Boston College, who rushed for 1,394 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2021. He is expected to be the lead running back for the Hurricanes in 2023.
Conclusion
The Florida Gators vs. Miami Hurricanes football game is one of the most anticipated matchups of the 2023 college football season. With two new head coaches and two of the top running backs in the country, the game is sure to be a high-scoring affair.