Are the Miami Hurricanes Part of the Most Heated Rivalry in College Sports History?

Miami, Fla. – College sports have drastically changed throughout the years, but one thing is for certain: rivalries still matter. Regardless of whether it’s football, basketball, or baseball, when certain teams cross paths against one another, there’s a strong dislike.

From the Sunshine State, the Florida State Seminoles, Florida Gators, and Miami Hurricanes are among the most iconic symbols of college sports. They combine for 19 National Championships across football, basketball, and baseball. Several professional players–current and past–and Hall of Famers have come from each of these programs.

Regardless of how much the teams change, the tradition of the Florida in-state rivalries doesn’t.

The Hurricanes faced both the Gators and Seminoles in football, basketball, and baseball within the past year and finished 4-6. It never mattered which sport or setting, the matchups created a hostile environment.

Each campus–Tallahassee, Gainesville, and Coral Gables–raves throughout the football season. The Hurricanes faced both Gators and Seminoles this past regular season and dominated both matchups. They claimed the unofficial in-state college football championship following the back-to-back sweep.

On the basketball court, the Hurricanes went 1-2 against both programs. In an early meeting against the Gators at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, the former defending National Champions dominated in an 82-68 outing. Each player on the Hurricanes struggled to score consistently against the Gators’ lengthy frontcourt.

Afterwards, they would face the Seminoles twice in Atlantic Coast Conference play–once at home, then in Tallahassee. The Hurricanes lost the first meeting at the Watsco Center in a back-and-forth 65-63 outing. In the following matchup at Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, they earned redemption in an 83-73 victory.

It was the first time former Hurricanes senior guard and Tallahassee native Tre Donaldson returned to his hometown for an official game. He finished with 21 points on 62.2 true shooting percent, six rebounds, six assists, a steal, and a block in 36 minutes.

Finally, on the baseball field, the Hurricanes weren’t as successful against the in-state rivals.

The first outing was at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field in Coral Gables against the Gators. In a two-game series–the third game was cancelled because of weather conditions–the Hurricanes were swept. In the second meeting, it was a score-tied scenario at the top of the seventh inning; the bases were loaded and when it appeared that Miami’s senior relief pitcher Ryan Bilka escaped the jam, a balk was called, which gave the Gainesville program all the momentum for the rest of the game.

The Hurricanes would win seven of the last eight series before traveling to Tallahassee to face the Seminoles. In the series opener, they had a 6-1 lead going to the bottom of the eighth, but relief pitching failed to close the game and allowed a complete 7-6 collapse in extra innings. The Hurricanes lost the following day, then won to close the regular season.

A rematch was lined up against the Gators in the Gainesville Regional winner’s bracket. Despite crawling back from an early five-game deficit, the entire pitching staff provided little-to-no stability, resulting in a 22-10 outing. The Gators finished with seven total home runs.

None of the Sunshine State programs reached the Super Regional.

It’s been an exciting year for the University of Miami against both in-state rivals. They’re set to face both basketball programs again–only the Seminoles in football.

There are no better games to wake up to than against rivals.

- Several Miami Hurricanes baseball players earned All-ACC honors, including a few first-timers.

- The Miami Hurricanes basketball program is reportedly scheduled to open the upcoming season against an in-state rival.

- Coach Mario Cristobal believes the Miami Hurricanes should face an in-state rival every year.

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Anthony Aguirre is the Miami Hurricanes beat writer for Roundtable Sports. Contact info: [email protected] | 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports