College football is back! We’ve got your breakdowns of Week 0 right here. We’ll break down both match-ups, including bonus FCS predictions. Let’s go!
Saturday August 24th
(8) Florida vs Miami
Spread: Florida -7.5
Previous Matchup: Miami 21-16 in 2013
Location: Camping World Stadium (Orlando)
Time: 7:00 PM
Positional Unit Breakdown
QB – Florida
RB – Florida
WR – Florida
TE – Miami
OL – Push
DL – Push
LB – Miami
DB – Florida
ST – Florida
Units to Watch For
O-Line – Both teams have to replace a lot up front. Florida must replace four starters and Miami must replace 5 of it’s top 7 offensive linemen from last season while also starting a true freshman at LT. The front seven on defense for both teams could have a field day vs these lines.
Receivers – Florida has some of the best depth at receiver in the nation. They’re loaded with 6-7 capable guys at WR and the TE unit is young but has breakout candidates in Kyle Pitts and Kemore Gamble. Miami brings in Buffalo transfer K.J. Osborn (892 rec yards in 2018) to go with speedster Jeff Thomas and young and talented TEs Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory.
Overall Breakdown
What it comes down to is this: both teams have excellent RBs, WRs, TEs and both defenses are expected to be really good this season. The biggest question mark for both teams is the O-Line. Both Florida and Miami fans know how much a bad O-Line can wreck a team because they watched Florida State last year. The biggest difference in these two teams is at QB. Feleipe Franks proved himself last season and has the experience and leadership now to have another big season. On the other hand the Hurricanes are going with former 4-star recruit in redshirt freshman QB Jarren Williams. He will be making his first career start vs a very good Gators defense. Overall, the Canes defense keeps them in this one, but the Gators get the win late.
Prediction
(8) Florida 24 Miami 17
Arizona @ Hawaii
Spread: Arizona – 11
Previous Matchup: Arizona 47-28 in 2016
Location: Honolulu Hawaii
Time: 10:30 PM
Positional Unit Breakdown
QB – Push
RB – Arizona
WR – Hawaii
TE – Arizona
OL – Arizona
DL – Hawaii
LB – Arizona
DB – Arizona
ST – Hawaii
Positional Units to Remember
Arizona Linebackers
Colin Schooler and Tony Fields are one of the best linebacker duos in college football. Last season, they combined for 208 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 26 tackles for loss and 2 INTs.
QBs
Both teams have explosive dual threat QBs running the show. Cole McDonald broke loose last season for the Rainbow Warriors, combining for 4,000+ total yards and 40 touchdowns. Khalil Tate was held back by the Wildcats last season and he looked like a totally different player. Arizona needs to get him back in 2017 form when he was a Heisman contender.
Overall Breakdown
This game has potential to be a shootout, both teams have excellent QBs and a surrounding cast. The difference is overall talent, of which Arizona has more. A Hawaii upset wouldn’t be a total shocker, but I’m taking the Wildcats to win and cover.
Prediction
Arizona 45 Hawaii 31
Bonus
FCS Predictions
Colgate 17 Villanova 13
Youngstown State 27 Samford 17
