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The storied rivalry of two powerhouse programs of the past will add yet another chapter on Saturday afternoon as the Florida Gators will host the No. 19 Miami Hurricanes at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in a crucial season opener.

Florida and Miami both come into 2024 with third-year head coaches in Billy Napier and Mario Cristobal who have struggled to win big games to begin their tenures. For two historically fantastic football programs, losing is not an option. After the Gators went 5-7 last season and the Hurricanes had a 7-6 record, both squads have loftier hopes this year.

With Florida having the toughest schedule in the country this season, a Week 1 win over a top-20 opponent will go a long way in boosting the Gators’ confidence.

Their conviction coming into Saturday is already at a very high level. Florida returns its starting quarterback in Graham Mertz who finished third in the nation in completion percentage at 72.9% while throwing for almost 3,000 yards, 20 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Mertz lost his No. 1 target from last season as Ricky Pearsall left for the NFL, however, an explosive returner and two high-quality transfers will give the veteran QB options on the outside.

After leading the Gators in touchdown receptions last year, Eugene Wilson III is poised for an even better sophomore season. He will be paired with Arizona State transfer Elijhah Badger and former Wisconsin man Chimere Dike, who is reuniting with his former quarterback. The big-play ability of these three is something the Miami secondary will have to look out for all game long.

While the fireworks may come by way of the air for Florida, Napier’s offense has always gone through the ground game. The Gators’ lead-back this season will be Montrell Johnson Jr. Johnson, who had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee after being injured in the first week of training camp, and was questionable for the game against the Canes, was cleared to play earlier this week. Johnson is set for a big game if he is not limited against Miami after Florida lost Trevor Etienne to Georgia via the transfer portal.

As for the Canes, they will have a revamped offensive look against the Gators in Week 1. Miami has a new quarterback in 2024 as graduate transfer Cam Ward joined the team after playing his previous two years at Washington State. Ward possesses a dual-threat look that Florida will have to be prepared for. Last year with the Cougars, Ward threw for over 3,700 yards with 25 touchdowns and added eight scores on the ground.

Ward’s No. 1 target on Saturday will be senior Xavier Restrepo, an All-ACC first-team selection in 2023. Restrepo finished second in the conference in receptions and yards with six touchdowns a season ago.

On the ground, Miami flourishes a man who was one of the best running backs in the country last year. Damien Martinez, who transferred to the Canes after playing his first two seasons at Oregon State, was a 2023 Doak Walker Award semifinalist. He ran for 1,185 yards with nine scores in his All-Pac-12 first-team campaign.

A team coming into this season with lofty expectations in Miami will be the first of numerous tough tests for the Gators this season, as so much is on the line in a Week 1 matchup between two schools that have so much history between them.

Florida and Miami will meet for the 57th time Saturday in the Swamp. The game is set to kickoff at 3:30 p.m. ET in front of a sold-out crowd on ABC. The Hurricanes are currently favored by 2.5 points, according to ESPN Bet.