Miami vs Florida Prediction & Betting Picks 8/31/2024

The Miami Hurricanes will face the Florida Gators in Gainesville on August 31, 2024, with the Hurricanes favored by 2.5 points according to DraftKings Sportsbook. Early betting action shows 42% of bets backing Miami and 58% favoring Florida. The total is set at 54 points, with 48% of bets on the under and 52% on the over. This matchup promises to be an exciting showdown between these two fierce rivals from the Sunshine State in a significant matchup for the hopes of both teams in 2024.

Another Major Transfer Chooses Miami: Will It Work?

The Miami Hurricanes have tried their hand in the transfer portal to solve their quarterback position over the last few years, with varying levels of success. This year, they will do so once again, as Cam Ward comes into the program after spending last year with Washington State. Ward has nearly 14,000 passing yards in his three years as a collegiate quarterback and the Hurricanes hope he will get them off to a strong start against the Florida Gators in a huge game for Miami's hopes of being an elite team.

Ward provides the Hurricanes with a more traditional pocket passer to rely on this season. His completion percentage was an incredible 66.6% in 2023 and that kind of precision is exactly what the Hurricanes are going to need if they are going to win games like this one. But the question for Ward will be whether or not he can deliver in hostile environments like The Swamp on Saturday.

Is Florida In For a Rough 2024?

The Florida Gators are looking at some of the lowest expectations they have had in a while as they head into the 2024 college football season. Their season win total is set at 4.5 games going into this year, which means we could see Florida fail to qualify for a bowl game if things do not bounce their way. Still, they are just 2.5 point underdogs at home in this in-state rivalry game against the Miami Hurricanes.

Graham Mertz is set to be the quarterback for the Gators in this season opener, as Mertz will look to improve in his sixth year of college football. He had 20 touchdown passes to just three interceptions with Florida last season after spending a few years with Wisconsin before that. But he needs to be more productive than that if Florida is going to have any chance at competing with the big boys in the SEC this season.

Miami vs Florida Best Bet

We will lay the points with Miami in this all-Florida matchup in college football. The Hurricanes should be able to pass the test on passing downs more consistently than Florida will in this game. Look for the Hurricanes to win this one by around a touchdown or so in what should be an intriguing contest in Gainesville.

Visit the NCAAFB picks and predictions section for the rest of today's games.