Fresh off consecutive dominant victories, Mario Cristobal brands the absence of a yearly Miami Hurricanes-Florida Gators clash "criminal," pushing to revive the historic in-state rivalry as a permanent calendar fixture.
Miami, FL – The Miami Hurricanes annually face the Florida State Seminoles across multiple sports because they’re both affiliated with the Atlantic Coast Conference. However, the in-state rivalry doesn’t compare to facing the Florida Gators. Both universities have won numerous National Championships, including eight combined in football.
The Gators play in the Southeastern Conference, meaning there isn’t a guaranteed matchup against the Hurricanes. Both sides played each other this past college basketball and baseball season. However, the Hurricanes won’t face the Gators for the upcoming college football year for the first time since 2023.
In the latest edition of The Triple Option show, hosted by Rob Stone, Mark Ingram II, and former Florida head coach and three-time National Championship winner Urban Meyer, coach Mario Cristobal joined and advocated for a regular matchup between the Hurricanes and Gators.
“I believe Miami and Florida should play every year,” he said. “The fact that’s not on [the schedule] every year is criminal.”
Coach Cristobal is undefeated against the Gators since taking over the Coral Gables program.
The first matchup came in the 2024 season opener in Bell Hill Griffin Stadium at Gainesville. The Hurricanes dominated from start to finish, earning a 41-17 victory. Cam Ward was the starting quarterback, completing 26 of 35 passes, 74.3 completion percentage, throwing for 385 yards and three touchdowns, including an interception. Wide receiver Xavier Restrepo led the game with seven catches for 112 yards, including a trip to the endzone.
The most recent matchup came with a greater sense of intensity. On Sept. 6, 2025, the Hurricanes secured a 26-7 victory. DJ Lagway was the Gators’ starting quarterback, but could hardly make a play with edge rushers Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr. gunning towards him. He completed only 12 of 23 passes, 52.2 completion percentage, throwing for 61 yards and no touchdowns.
The Hurricanes primarily relied on the run game between Mark Fletcher Jr. and CharMar Brown to punch the scoreboard. Both rushed 42 times for 196 yards and three touchdowns.
The Gators underwent significant changes since the matchup, including the hiring of former Tulane Green Wave head coach Jon Sumrall. They’re looking to bounce back from a 4-8 season.
Meanwhile, approximately 342 miles down to South Florida, the Hurricanes are coming off a National Championship appearance. They’re looking to build off the recent success, especially with All-ACC quarterback Darian Mensah leading the show.
It may be a while before both programs face off again, especially since the Gators have completed most of the future schedules, but that could change at any moment.
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