Anticipation Rising for Canes' In-State Opener; First Alert: August 29, 2024

It’s rare to find openers as hostile and heated as what Miami is in for this coming Saturday afternoon. The Canes visit Gainesville for the first time since 2008 to take on the Florida Gators in what is bound to be a season-altering game for both squads.

Much has been made of the gauntlet of a schedule that the Gators are gearing up to face this season, so a loss in this game could doom them before September even starts. However, for Mario Cristobal, his seat could rise exponentially in temperature if what looks like his best team yet, at least on paper, gets off to a rocky start.

For Coach Cristobal, Miami's approach starts with discipline and “follow a process,” as he put it on Monday. These were major issues for the 2023 Hurricanes, and Cristobal addressed it this offseason by hiring an unnamed “time-management coach” this offseason.

Whoever that coach may be, they will no question be tested immediately in what should be a incredibly intense Saturday afternoon for the Canes.

HOW TO WATCH: Saturday, 3:30 EST, ABC

Miami head coach Mario Cristobal shared with the media this afternoon that they now have a time management coach to “overharp” on end-of-game management.

He also mentioned that they have intensified the focus and organization behind it. pic.twitter.com/gIPgzq8c33
— Geo Milian (@GeoMilian) August 26, 2024

Today’s Schedule

Soccer: Missouri at Miami, 7 p.m. (ACC Network+)

Friday’s Schedule

Volleyball: Miami vs. Rutgers, at Denton, Texas, 5 p.m. (ESPN+)

Cross Country: FAU Invitational, at Boca Raton, Fla.

Did You Miss?

Alexa Noel competed in her first major tournament match at the US Open. She lost in straight sets to Spaniard, Sara Sorribes 6-1 6-3.

Keep making us proud 🙌

Good luck to @alxxanoel, as she begins play in the 2024 @usopen at 3 p.m. today! pic.twitter.com/TKLGPCxlNN
— Miami Hurricanes (@MiamiHurricanes) August 27, 2024

Miami athletics partnered with cryptocurrency company Floki to promote a new immersive metaverse NFT game called “Valhalla." Floki will be donating to Canes Collection, the school’s NIL fund, for every field goal made during this football season.

Floki Announces Partnership for Valhalla as an Official Sponsor of University of Miami Athletics for the 2024-25 Season

We’re excited to announce a powerhouse multi-year partnership between #Floki and the University of Miami Athletics that’s set to dominate the 2024-25 season!… pic.twitter.com/7t4LIUVFnJ
— FLOKI (@RealFlokiInu) August 27, 2024

Florida released its depth chart for Saturday's game at The Swamp, but it included 15 "or" listings including with a few starters. On the injury front, running back Montrell Johnson, who sustained a knee injury early on in fall camp and had arthroscopic knee surgery, is back practicing and is expected to start.

Countdown to Opener:

2 Days

“Cam Ward has been at different places and at every place he’s been, he’s just gotten better and better and better. Sometimes, he’s been playing from ahead, and sometimes, from behind. But he just plays, and he plays at an extremely high level, and he’s done that since the day he got here. There’s no limitations as it relates to installs, game plan. Sometimes, you’ve got to slow it down so that everybody gets it, but a quarterback like him, he’s so focused and concerned about the team doing well that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make the team do well. All in all, a winner and an alpha leader. So, they will have a massive impact on this game.”
Mario Cristobal

We'll Leave you with This

⚪️ Week One Uniforms ⚪️#GoCanes pic.twitter.com/PNIWWNidQs
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) August 28, 2024

Today’s Schedule

Friday’s Schedule

Did You Miss?

Countdown to Opener:

We'll Leave you with This

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