If you want to understand why Florida and Miami fans can’t stand each other, don't look at the trophy cases. Don't look at the NFL Draft picks. Instead, look at a swimming pool in 1971.
That was the year of the "Gator Flop." Florida’s defense literally laid down on the grass to let Miami score, just so their quarterback could get the ball back and break a record. Miami’s coach was so livid he refused to shake hands. Florida’s players celebrated by jumping into a decorative pool behind the end zone.
That’s basically the vibe of uf vs miami football. It is petty. It is loud. And honestly, it’s the most authentic thing about college football in the South.
The 2024 and 2025 Reality Check
We’ve had a lot of "is back" talk over the last decade. But the last two years actually gave us some data.
In 2024, Miami went into Gainesville and absolutely dismantled the Gators. A 41-17 beatdown at The Swamp. Cam Ward looked like a video game character, throwing for 350 yards and basically ending the Billy Napier honeymoon phase before it even started. Florida fans had high hopes for that opener, but by the fourth quarter, the stadium was half-empty and smelled like disappointment.
Then came 2025. Different year, same story.
Miami won 26-7 in Miami Gardens. Carson Beck—the former Georgia QB who moved south to finish his career—looked surgical. Florida, meanwhile, was stuck in the mud. They had DJ Lagway under center, and while the kid has a cannon for an arm, the Gators' offensive line was basically a revolving door.
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Recent Head-to-Head Stats (The Last Two)
- August 31, 2024: Miami 41, Florida 17 (Gainesville)
- September 20, 2025: Miami 26, July 7 (Miami Gardens)
Miami now leads the all-time series 31-27. If you’re a Gator fan, that hurts. Florida dominated the 70s, winning seven straight, but the modern era has belonged to the Canes. Since 1987, Miami has won 8 of the last 10 meetings. That isn't a rivalry anymore; it’s a lopsided affair.
Why They Don’t Play Every Year
This is the question that bugs everyone. Why do we get uf vs miami football once every five years instead of every November?
Money. And the SEC.
Back in 1987, the annual series ended because the SEC went to an eight-game conference schedule. Florida’s athletic department looked at their permanent rivalry with Florida State and decided they didn't want to play two grueling out-of-conference games every year. It was a business decision.
Fans hated it. They still do.
The "War Canoe" trophy—a 10-foot long piece of cypress carved by Seminole Indians—now sits in the Miami Hurricanes Hall of Fame. It’s basically a relic of a time when the state of Florida ran college football. There are no games currently scheduled for the foreseeable future after the 2025 matchup, which feels like a crime against the sport.
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The Jon Sumrall vs. Mario Cristobal Era
We are currently watching two programs on completely different trajectories.
Mario Cristobal has Miami humming. He’s recruiting at a level that feels like the 2001 glory days. The Canes’ offensive line is massive, led by guys like Francis Mauigoa who are basically NFL starters in waiting. They’ve embraced the portal, they’ve embraced NIL, and they’re winning.
Florida? Well, it’s a rebuild. Again.
After Billy Napier was let go, Florida brought in Jon Sumrall. He’s a "football guy’s football guy," but he inherited a mess. The 2026 recruiting class is okay, but it’s not closing the gap with the Georgias and Miamis of the world yet. Sumrall is trying to fix the culture, but in the SEC, you don't get a lot of time to "fix culture" before the boosters start looking for their checkbooks.
What to Watch for in 2026
- The Quarterback Gap: Miami is proving they can attract elite, plug-and-play starters. Florida is still trying to develop a high-school prodigy into a cohesive leader.
- The Trenches: Rueben Bain Jr. at Miami is arguably the best edge rusher in the country. Florida’s biggest hurdle right now is finding anyone who can block him.
- Recruiting Battles: South Florida (The 305) is the primary battleground. When Miami is winning on the field, they lock down those recruits. When Florida is struggling, they lose out on the elite speed that used to define their roster.
The Memories That Still Sting
If you talk to an older fan about uf vs miami football, they won't talk about NIL or conference realignment.
They’ll talk about 1980, when Miami players were pelted with oranges by Florida fans. Miami coach Howard Schnellenberger was so mad he kicked a field goal with seconds left on the clock just to run up the score. He later said he did it just so the media would ask him why he was so petty.
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Or they’ll talk about 2003. Brock Berlin—a quarterback who started at Florida, got benched, and transferred to Miami—led the Canes back from a 23-point deficit to beat the Gators. It was a "silent the haters" moment that still gets brought up in message board arguments today.
What Happens Next?
Honestly, the state of the rivalry is "complicated."
Florida needs to find an identity. Under Sumrall, they are leaning into a tougher, more disciplined style of play, but the talent gap is real. Miami is currently the "big brother" in the state, whether Gainesville wants to admit it or not.
If you're looking for actionable steps to keep up with this rivalry:
- Track the 2026 Transfer Portal: This is where the next "Cam Ward" or "Carson Beck" will come from. Miami has the momentum here.
- Monitor the Florida Cup: Even though the UF-UM game is on hiatus, the round-robin results between UF, UM, and FSU still determine who "owns" the state.
- Watch the Trenches: Keep an eye on Rueben Bain Jr.’s draft stock. He’s a projected top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and is the blueprint for what Florida is currently missing on their defensive line.
The fire is still there. The fans still hate each other. We just need the schedules to catch up to the emotion.