Gator Meat and Playoff Dreams: Predicting Miami's 2025 season

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Transcript

Speaker 1 0:22

The North Florida Sports Network. Hey, welcome back again. It's your favorite North Florida Sports Network. College football week zero coming up this weekend. Oh my God, I got a Miami contributor college basketball NBA specialty. But it's college football season. Justin joins the show.

Speaker 2 0:53

That's right, man. College football dude like 70 hours away.

Speaker 1 0:57

It's hard to believe. 70 hours and that's a pretty good game too.

Speaker 2 1:02

I can't believe it. A conference game a good, solid, top 25 conference game week zero in Dublin dude, you't believe it. A conference game, a good, solid, top 25 conference game Week zero in Dublin, dude, you gotta love it.

Speaker 1 1:09

So we got a big one in store. We're gonna do a little bit of predictions. We'll see who can come out more correct. We'll pick all the big conference winners and then we're gonna go. We got Justin here today no Jimmy Reno, so we're gonna do wins. We got justin here today no jimmy reno, so we're going to do wins and losses for the? U and the university of miami. It's a big year for them. Expectations are high. We'll see what justin thinks as we'll go over the schedule. Nfl right around the corner, preseason games, games underway, we'll talk about that. Anything sticking out. We still have our over-unders to pick, which is coming up next week, so we'll preview some more of that. Which teams we're maybe high on, which ones I'd like to know more about, because every year there's several teams that are going to come out of nowhere and then teams that take a step back.

Speaker 2 2:14

I've already got my nowhere out of nowhere NFL team and it pains me to say who it is.

Speaker 1 2:19

Oh boy, I think I know who you're talking about. I don't know, I have no idea.

Speaker 2 2:24

Who have I been raving about ever since this podcast started at quarterback? Drake May. Oh no, Yep, New England's going to win the wild card.

Speaker 1 2:36

All right, there's a little sneak peek, but let's start with college football. Man, it's finally here this weekend Ireland, Kansas State, Iowa State Big 12 matchup. Who's going to have the upper hand there?

Speaker 2 2:56

Honestly, just based on no facts at all from camp, I'm going to lean towards K-State because I like their head coach and K-State always has a fun offense man, so I'm going to go K-State.

Speaker 1 3:11

It's going to be a good game. Iowa State coach is pretty tough. You never know with Iowa State.

Speaker 2 3:22

They can't be really good, but they don't ever really suck yeah, this is like the battle of teams that will inevitably be nine and three and eight and four at the end of the season.

Speaker 1 3:35

Well, you never know, honestly honestly, the big 12 I think is in terms of picking a conference, might be one of the most difficult to try to predict.

Speaker 2 3:46

Oh yeah, dude, I mean you just, you just flip coins over and over and you got just as good a chance as, like, a big 12 insider for ESPN has at picking a winner of that conference.

Speaker 1 3:56

Right and uh, if I I mean, if I had to do I would literally try to do as much research I could and see who had the biggest NIL who spent the most money. And try to do as much research I could and see who had the biggest NIL who spent the most money. And try to do it that way. If you didn't know anything else, that would probably be your best bet.

Speaker 2 4:13

Well, Texas Tech's the answer then.

Speaker 1 4:16

Well, miami. There are a lot of people expecting a big year for Miami. They got Carson Beck $4 million man at quarterback Coming off. They lose the number one pick. They lose some. The defense last year was the hole in the team Bottom five in the country. You know, not good, that should improve.

Speaker 2 4:46

It can't get worse like it literally cannot get worse, dude. I mean I guess we could be bought on two yeah, I mean we had in florida state.

Speaker 1 4:57

In florida miami's defense was pretty bad, but florida state's offense was the worst unit I saw, maybe in my life.

Speaker 1 5:07

Just around this area and these programs that we've seen. I'm not a Miami fan, but I grew up following Miami, florida, florida State. You see it, I have never seen an offense that terrible. Miami's defense was safe because they had the top draft pick. So, like, maybe, if you would have had a combination of miami's defense florida state's offense, you would have had one of the worst teams in history oh, that would have been the worst team ever fielded in the history of college football dude, I mean because I mean florida state was like what?

Speaker 2 5:42

like 120 something in offense miami was like what like 120-something in offense and Miami was like 130-something in defense, I mean they were two of the worst units in football.

Speaker 1 5:49

Yeah. So this year, what does Miami do? Well, they go out and they get Georgia's quarterback for $4 million, so there's going to be expectations to keep it going. On offense, the offensive line is good, I would say that's the line in the country, dude, yeah that's the strength of the team, which is going to get you quarterbacks. You know that can be the thing you just do, just like hey, we're gonna have a nfl typo line. Why don't you come here, build your draft stock up?

Speaker 2 6:25

Yeah. I mean dude Beck was projected top 10 pick coming into last season. Oh my God.

Speaker 1 6:31

If we had this same conversation last year, people not just us were debating on if he was going to be the number one overall quarterback number one overall team.

Speaker 2 6:40

I was one of those people. I was one of those people.

Speaker 1 6:43

So like that's crazy to think's crazy to think you just go a year ahead and he's going to be the guy for Miami. But that is the game we live in now, where if you just have a season that's not going to get you the big bucks or the top pick, you're open ballgame for not just going to the draft. You're probably going to stay unless you're a first-round pick, because the schools will pay for quarterbacks. And why not?

Speaker 2 7:13

Quinn Ewers has got to be just kicking himself in the ass over and over again for going pro when he could have made $4 or $5 million in college.

Speaker 1 7:22

Sixth-round draft pick. He could have went to what Like Notre Dame or something and made yeah, he could have made $4 or $5 million in college.

Speaker 2 7:25

Sixth round draft pick. He could have went to what like Notre Dame or something and made yeah, he had a lot of demand to come back and play in college. He would have made some money. He would have been on a top 10 program probably and potentially could have upped his draft status.

Notre Dame vs Miami: Catholics vs Convicts

Speaker 1 7:37

Yeah Well, last time we saw Iowa State was coming back to beat Miami, after Cam Ward came out of the game, after we, after we, after we saw that, uh, that the coaching staff at miami had it's going to be great. Uh, week zeros it's great to have that. But then the following one week one is just littered with big time games and mi and Miami's in one of them, a classic matchup the Catholics versus the convicts. This time the Catholics are coming down to South Beach Well, not quite South Beach, but they're going to play in Miami and it's going to be a night.

Speaker 2 8:20

Miami Gardens, miami Gardens, it's a night game.

Speaker 1 8:23

It's a night game. I think there will be an atmosphere there. Oh there will be dude, there will be an atmosphere there.

Speaker 2 8:28

Last time, Think about this dude.

Speaker 1 8:31

I remember that last Notre Dame game.

Speaker 2 8:33

It was 2017, dude, and it was a night game, stand-alone game. Notre Dame was like three in the country, miami was like ten and the atmosphere at that stadium was off the charts Awesome. Like Miami shows up, the fans show up for events and they will show up for Notre Dame game, especially when you're looking at two top 10 teams battling it out in the traditional rival, where there's a legit hatred. Anybody that grew up in the eighties hates Notre Dame more than probably any other team on Miami's schedule. That was the rivalry. They got a whole freaking documentary made about that rivalry and it only lasted like six years. Like that's the passion in this rivalry. It's I. I cannot freaking wait. I'm just so glad it's a standalone game because I'd be pissed if that was on at the same time as LSU it really is just like a.

Speaker 1 9:22

It was symbolic of just the changing of the sport. That was just the beginning in terms of tradition versus new age, and Jimmy Johnson and coming in, not giving a crap, walking through that tunnel, you know, and just the. I miss those games. Yeah, I miss those games. Randall Hill with the guns, randall.

Speaker 2 9:44

Hill with the guns, randall Hill with the pistols in the what was it? The Cotton Bowl where he ran into the tunnel and started firing the finger guns man? I mean, like I miss that. I miss that so much.

Speaker 1 9:56

Yeah Well, it's going to be Notre Dame right out of the gate. This is a big game. This is when you're in a conference like the ACC, where you might not have a chance to play a top team unless you're playing Clemson. A win over Notre Dame can go a long way.

Speaker 2 10:18

Oh yeah, no, this game sets the tone for Miami what the season is going to be. I mean even a loss to Notre Dame. If it's a close loss, well-played game, miami's not going to fall too far in the rankings and then they can build themselves back up against the typically pretty weak ACC.

Speaker 1 10:37

Yeah, penn State's, clearly, I think, the class of the conference, I mean with the returning players, the quarterback. I mean they, they with the returning players, the quarterback. Um, it seems like he's been there forever and so I I mean it that that's who I'm picking to win the acc. I think miami should play him in charlotte, uh, but we're, we're getting ahead of schedule as predicting conferences. I want to go to wins and losses for miami and we're going to start right there. What do you think is going to happen? Week one Notre Dame down in Miami at night. Give me something.

Speaker 2 11:22

I'm going to all right. Well, obviously I'm a freaking homer, but here's some like actual one.

Speaker 1 11:30

This one's for you know, whoever gets more of these right wins the prize, so you want to try to win this.

Speaker 2 11:40

Yeah, no, and here's why I think why I'm going to go ahead and take Miami in a really close game.

Speaker 1 11:45

Okay.

Speaker 2 11:46

Several reasons, al Golden is no longer the DC at Notre Dame, yep he's now for the Bengals. And that defense is what carried Notre Dame, the defense and their running game. They lost their 27-year senior at quarterback, so they're bringing in a young kid, no experience. They did bring back Jeremiah Love, the running back, though, and that guy's a monster. He's going to run for $1.50 on Miami, no doubt. No doubt in my mind about that.

Speaker 1 12:15

This is going to be some running on both sides.

Speaker 2 12:20

Without Al Golden running that defense. I want to see how they play under a new coach but Al Golden. As much time in my life have I spent bitching about Al Golden?

Speaker 1 12:30

He's been a great coordinator.

Speaker 2 12:32

He is a great defensive coordinator man. That is going to be a difference. A major loss, for Notre Dame is losing Al Golden.

Speaker 1 12:39

Yeah, I agree.

Speaker 2 12:41

And I think the offensive line of Miami is going to maul Notre Dame and I think Carson Beck and I think Beck is going to make just enough plays to win a close game, because Miami's got two badass running backs coming back. Man, you've got that monster, mark Fletcher, who's the big, you know, your Ron Dane type back, and then you've got the freshman kid Lyle, who has got flat-out track star speed and with that offensive line an experienced quarterback, and you know there's going to be some athletes out at wide receiver. I'm not worried about that al golden not being there. I think that's a recipe for a miami win at home over notre dame, and a close one. I'm talking like 27, 24 nail biter classic game is what I make perspective okay, so they're one.

Speaker 1 13:28

and oh, um, I think I might be with you on that, just with the quarterback and the loss of the D coordinator going on the road. So, all right, 1-0 Miami. They get B C U up, then Cookman 2-0. We're not going to get into that. Then they're at home. Tricky South Florida comes up. Should be a win.

Speaker 2 13:51

Yeah, that'll be a win though.

Speaker 1 13:52

Yeah. So 3-0, 3-0. And then the Gators. They're coming to Miami. This time this is going to be another. Gators are top 15 preseason, miami top 10 preseason. A lot of expectations for both teams. This one, florida's, got their butts whooped at home Embarrassing Last year. Will they be able to turn it around, lagway?

Speaker 2 14:26

That's the question. We'll have his chance.

Speaker 1 14:27

That's the question. So then we'll see.

Speaker 2 14:29

Can Lagway be healthy? Can he stay healthy, man? I mean, he got hurt in the spring. He's been hurt in camp. He got hurt last season. Apparently, I've heard that he was also hurt in high school somehow.

Speaker 1 14:40

Yeah, Well, I mean like how that guy got hurt in high school is beyond me.

Speaker 2 14:45

I mean it's like Cam Newton getting hurt in high school. I mean Lagway is a monster. If Lagway can stay healthy, then I'm terrified of that game. Yeah, if DJ Lagway can stay healthy, then I'm terrified of that game. But without DJ Lagway I think Miami boat races him again.

Speaker 1 15:00

Okay, so 4-0. I'm looking forward to that game. Oh yeah, dude, I'll be eating gator meat.

Speaker 2 15:07

I'll be eating gator meat that day here at the house. I'll fry some up. I'll grill some up. Dude, I'll be eating gator like crazy.

Speaker 1 15:14

That's going to. We'll see A lot riding on Florida. Last year Nobody thought that I mean people had Billy Napier fired.

Speaker 2 15:29

And you know they had a good year, especially with that schedule. Oh, absolutely, man Lagway saved that season. Dude, lagway is awesome, dude, I hate to give him as much credit.

Speaker 1 15:36

But that guy is amazing. He saved his coach's season. So we'll see. But yeah, we'll see if he can stay healthy. But after September 20th you get a bye week and then you go to Tallahassee. So Florida and Florida State back-to-back opponents for the Hurricanes this year.

Speaker 2 15:52

Can I have a better opening to a college football season than playing miami, florida state and florida three of my first five games as a king fan?

Speaker 1 16:01

the answer is no, I cannot. Yeah, notre dame, florida and florida state, three of the three biggest rivals, yep so my yeah, if miami can get wins in those games mean that's a win of a season, regardless of what happens, if you're an old school fan.

Speaker 2 16:19

Oh yeah, no, and I don't see Florida State bouncing back after last season and being able to beat Miami. I don't think it'll be an utter domination, because that never happens really in back-to-back seasons in this rivalry.

Speaker 1 16:34

I mean that last year's team God, that team was awful.

Speaker 2 16:39

They played better than I expected against Miami.

Speaker 1 16:40

Actually, they did exactly exactly so I think they'll be improved, and so I think the game will be highly competitive, like it always is.

Speaker 2 16:49

Yeah, and I've got to take Miami in that one until I'm proven otherwise.

Speaker 1 16:53

Definitely fair on that one. So that's man. That's a good start. That's a good start One, two, three, four, five and oh, after October 4th and now we're getting into the crystal ball part of the season. This is then another Wow, how about this Florida State? You got back-to-back bye weeks, you got a bye week before and bi-week after florida state.

Speaker 2 17:19

That's oh, that's, that is odd and that sucks, because that means we don't have a bi-week for two months, to go down the stretch yeah, I do not like it starts.

Speaker 1 17:26

The stretch run will start by hosting louisville off a buy, I'll say we'll beat louisville.

Speaker 2 17:38

If it wasn't off a buy, I would take louisville be a tough one, though louisville is always tricky they're always tricky dude and they always play miami they got talent, they got a program that's gonna pay.

Speaker 1 17:48

They'll go get some guys um so, and they got. I like the brahms, not a bad coach no, he's not he.

Speaker 2 17:57

He knows how to coach up the offense right, this could be.

Speaker 1 17:59

This says a crystal ball warning.

Speaker 2 18:02

It's got yeah, like if there was like a emblem like our hurricane warning right we have at the stadium I used to think that, like without, james jimbo had these same type of games like yeah, yeah, without james right, it would be like, oh, we're gonna be great, but then there would be this game, this type of game.

Speaker 1 18:24

All right, uh, then it's uh, but you're gonna give them the win there. So one, two, three, four, five, six and oh, headed back home against Stanford.

Speaker 2 18:35

Oh, well, that's a win. Stanford's a dumpster fire.

Speaker 1 18:38

You never know though.

Speaker 2 18:40

Unless you're what SMU, somehow losing that game last year.

Speaker 1 18:47

And then, speaking of them, that's when it's November 1st at SMU there's loss number one. That's where defense is just not going to be able to slow him down.

Speaker 2 19:00

Yep, I am interested to see what SMU has recruiting-wise, what Lashley's been able to do, because this will be his first year without all the Miami transfers yeah, but that quarterback that SMU has Jennings yeah, he's good, that kid can play man he can he, can he, can he's going to.

Speaker 1 19:17

They got themselves a little kind of like a mini. He's kind of like that kid from LSU Dayton Daniels a little bit.

Speaker 2 19:28

You know I'll give you a throwback. He's Woody Dantzler from Clemson.

Speaker 1 19:31

Yeah, okay.

Speaker 2 19:36

Yeah, because I was going gonna say he's not that good. But uh, I mean, yeah, but just good enough to give you. We don't have a really good defense yeah, he can give you exactly when he can give you and we're gonna go in there big headed, big headed at six and oh, with wins over all our rivals, and smu is gonna get us in dallas okay, so miami's first loss comes on the road against SMU.

Speaker 1 19:54

All right, that gives you.

Speaker 2 19:58

I forgot a six and one or seven, a seven and one.

Speaker 1 20:01

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven and one Coming back home to Syracuse?

Speaker 2 20:10

Who without Kyle McCord?

Speaker 1 20:16

Yeah, I'll take Miami over that. Yeah, this is. I mean. I love the coach from syracuse, I love what he's doing. Will he be able to keep the talent level high enough there before he gets plucked away to?

Speaker 2 20:27

yeah like. Will he have a quarterback that can exploit miami defense?

Speaker 1 20:32

I feel like it's he's the next guy to leave Once one of these programs in the South with money has an opening.

Speaker 2 20:44

He's the next. Kevin Sumlin, yeah.

Speaker 1 20:46

Alright, you think Miami wins that one 8-1. And then they're hosting NC State. So these games not easy. Tough games, conference games.

Speaker 2 21:01

But you should take care of business. Yeah, but you know Crystal Ball is going to lose two inexplicable games. He does it all the time. He did it last year. We didn't think we'd lose two out of three going down the stretch last year when we were damn near a lock for the playoffs.

Conference Winners and Final Thoughts

Speaker 1 21:16

So you got Miami losing at home. This is the senior day, last home game of the year, nc State.

Speaker 2 21:24

All right, senior day, I'll give it to us. That just means we're going to show here at the end 9-1,.

Speaker 1 21:29

Coming into the stretch run, two road games against two old Big East opponents. And first up it's on the road now. Acc opponents, obviously. But now on the road at Virginia Tech, definitely a tough place to play Because it's Cristobal and because it's Blacksburg, I'm taking Vatek. Okay, so 9-2. Can they lick their wounds? 9-2 should be right there on the bubble, exactly where we were last year, heading into the Syracuse game, heading up north again to play Pitt to finish out the regular season oh god Pitt.

Speaker 2 22:13

No, yeah, not Pitt yeah, yeah late. November. Oh Pitt, in late November, dude they.

Speaker 1 22:19

Oh Jesus, I'm gonna take Miami just to keep myself smiling for today, but my god, that terrifies me the end of the schedule, for Miami and Florida State are both on the road, both against quality opponents. I wouldn't be surprised if both teams end with losses this year. But 10-2, Canes if that is what happens, what do you think? Is that a success?

Speaker 2 22:51

It's a success if we get to the acc championship game and freaking win. Yeah, and I think that's all. You got one off against clemson right, then you have.

Speaker 1 22:57

If you can give yourself a one game chance to make the playoff, that's a successful, then it's a successful season.

Speaker 2 23:04

The the collapse last year against syracuse basically ruined our season. Yeah, um, a win in that game and we're in the playoff. Yep, you know, potentially I mean Clemson needed a freaking miracle to beat SMU in the Miami should be in the playoff this year. They should they should have been last year. No, and they should be this year.

Speaker 1 23:21

I think that's got to be. If I was a Miami fan, I think it's got to be. We need to make the damn playoff.

Speaker 2 23:31

We said it last year on this exact podcast last year at this exact time. I said playoff or it's a failure. And we missed them by a game.

Speaker 1 23:38

Just win all your games. Even if Just win all your games, I think they could win all their games honestly.

Speaker 2 23:46

They definitely could.

Speaker 1 23:47

They don't have plenty.

Speaker 2 23:48

If they get by Notre.

Speaker 1 23:48

Dame and games honestly, oh they, they definitely could.

Speaker 2 23:50

They don't have the only team by notre dame and lagway's not healthy, then there's no excuse for them not going on the only team that would probably be favored to beat them in the conference is clemson, and they don't play them until maybe charlotte.

Speaker 1 24:00

If they can win all the games and then and then lose to clemson, I still think they're in the playoff if they win all the other ones.

Speaker 2 24:05

So yeah, if you're a one loss, miami, with wins over notre dame and florida, you got to make the playoff.

Speaker 1 24:11

If you go undefeated into the championship. You're in. I mean and I think that's across the board. I mean they showed that was tcu, that happened to them um damn and shit.

Speaker 2 24:24

Arizona state last year yeah arizona state played great in the playoff. I mean everybody remembers that, that penn state game man, I thought arizona state. I mean arizona, arizona State. Last year Arizona State played great in the playoff.

Speaker 1 24:34

I mean everybody remembers that Penn State game man, I thought Arizona State I mean Arizona State had that game. They were so close, they were Yep, All right, so 10-2 for Miami ACC champions with a win over Clemson in the playoff. Oh wow, that's my prediction. There's the homer, okay.

Speaker 2 24:47

Yep, oh, I hate Kate Klubnick too. I think Kate Klubnick is so overrated we had to go All right.

Speaker 1 24:57

Well, we got to get on out of here, that's all right.

Speaker 2 25:02

So Klubnick's overrated. He is the preseason ACC player of the year.

Speaker 1 25:07

Nah, that's because Carson Beck was in the SEC last year. Oh, I think we'll do some quick fire conference predictions. I think Clemson's going to win the ACC again, unfortunately.

Speaker 2 25:23

I got Miami.

Speaker 1 25:23

All right, let's go to the Big 12, where good God take a freaking guess.

Speaker 2 25:31

I'll go K-State. Since I got them winning the Week 0 game, I'll say K-State goes 10-2 in the Big 12. Wins it.

Speaker 1 25:38

Oh my God, I'm going to take Texas.

Speaker 2 25:40

Why the hell not Oklahoma? No, they're both not in it. Texas A&M. Oh God, Nebraska. Oh Texas A&M Nebraska give me Arizona State.

Speaker 1 25:52

Dilley Dilley gets it done. I think he's a really good coach. I think Florida State had him. He developed Jordan Travis pretty much. I mean Norvell helped out, but you saw he's at his alma mater too and I think that's big to be at a place. Jordan Travis pretty much I mean Norvell helped out, but you saw he's at his alma mater too, and I think that's big to be at a place you want to be. I think he can get them back to where they've never been Shoot. Give me Arizona State. All right, let's go to the SEC quick.

Speaker 2 26:28

Who you got.

Speaker 1 26:29

Oh shit, you know what. Give me LSU. I like Nussmeyer. Yeah, a lot. I mean, is kelly gonna be able to win that first game of the year finally, geez, he always loses the opener well, if you're gonna lose, that's the time to lose, yeah oh man, uh, the sec is a little wide open this year.

Speaker 2 26:48

It really is dude Like. That's why I'm just going with who I think the best quarterback is Watch out for the Gamecocks. That's who I was going to say is my second choice Watch out for my Gamecocks.

Speaker 1 26:58

So no Georgia, no Alabama, no.

Speaker 2 27:03

I don't think what's his name. Deboer is the guy at.

Speaker 1 27:06

Bama, I think.

Speaker 2 27:07

Bama.

Speaker 1 27:13

Big think what's his name?

Wrapping Up: What's Next

Speaker 1 27:15

uh, deboer is the guy at big 10 ohio state, penn state no nope, he's never gonna do it. Watch out for illinois, though. That's my surprise team in the big 10. But I'm with you. Gimme ohio state, there, I mean it's like a semi-pro team, they're over everybody, all right. Thank you, justin. We got our predictions for that. We got more. Next week we'll have jimmy Ohio State. I mean, it's like a semi-pro team, they're over everybody, all right. Thank you, justin. We got our predictions for that. We got more. Next week We'll have Jimmy Reno back. Wins and losses for Florida State. We'll talk to you then, right here on the North Florida Sports Network.