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Mark Richt shares thoughts on Miami playing Florida to open 2024 season

20200517_134556by:Justin Rudolph•01/24/24
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Aug 24, 2019; Orlando, FL, USA; (Editors note in camera double exposure) Florida Gators linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) celebrates a sack of Miami Hurricanes quarterback Jarren Williams (15) during the second half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The ACC just revealed its football schedule for the 2024 season, and it is full of exciting matchups. Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes will hit the ground running in 2024 as they open up the season on the road against one of their biggest in-state rivals.

The Hurricanes will be tested right out of the gate as they head to Gainesville, FL, to take on the SEC’s Florida Gators. Former Miami head coach Mark Richt is familiar with the rivalry against the Gators as both a Hurricane and as the former head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs. And during the ACC schedule reveal show special, the hall of fame head coach shared his thoughts on Miami squaring up against Florida to open the year.

“Yeah, you learn so much, so rapidly, in the game like that. It’s crazy,” said Richt. “And to start with that big of a rival game to start the season, it’s tough with a new QB. But they don’t play any conference games until game five. So, if you’re going to iron some things out, let’s iron them out early; in game one, you’re going to be put to the test in more than any other type of game. I think it’s going to really accelerate the quarterback’s learning curve.”

While Miami will have multiple new faces at various positions throughout the team in 2024, Richt and the rest of the ACC huddle crew focused on arguably their biggest acquisition out of the NCAA transfer portal, former Washington State quarterback Cam Ward. After much deliberating between declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft and committing to either Miami or ACC rival Florida State, Ward ultimately decided that becoming a Hurricane was in his best interest.

Ward spent two seasons on The Palouse after transferring in from Division II Incarnate Word. He started 25 games for the Cougars, throwing for more than 6,400 yards and 43 touchdowns while adding 11 more scores on the ground.

Richt is fully aware of the challenges Ward will have to face in the ruckus environment created at The Swamp. However, as he highlights, it is the perfect time for Ward and the Hurricanes to iron a few things out. Not to mention, after taking on arguably one of their biggest rivals, Miami will continue with the nonconference portion of their schedule and will not have to face an ACC opponent until the end of September, when they will face Virginia Tech at home on Sept. 27.