Report: Miami and Florida 'close' to playing each other in 2019
Miami and Florida could be playing each other in 2019.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, the two teams are "close" to facing off in Orlando in the first week of the 2019 season. It'd be the first time in six years that the teams have met. They stopped playing after the 2013 season.
Both schools were non-committal.
“While we won’t comment on this report, we’re always exploring future scheduling options,” UF spokesperson Steve McClain told the Orlando Sentinel.
Miami athletics director Blake James told the Sun Sentinel there have been conversations with Florida and he’s always been open to the idea of playing the Gators again, but there is no contract yet.
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Miami and Florida have played each other six times since 1987. They played from 2001-2004, in 2008 and in 2013. After the 2013 game, Florida mentioned the need for more home games and football revenue. The Gators wanted to have seven annual home games every year. With a home-and-home series with Miami, a non-conference game would be away from Gainesville every two years.
With a neutral site game, both teams would be guaranteed a hefty payday. Florida State is reportedly getting $5 million to play Alabama at the Citrus Bowl to open 2017.
Miami leads the all-time series 29-26. The Hurricanes have won seven of the last eight games in the series and won 21-16 in 2013.
For more Florida news, visit InsideTheGators.com.
For more Miami news, visit CaneSport.com.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
