CORAL GABLES, FLA. (WSVN) — Miami Hurricanes fans are gearing up for a Sunshine State showdown against a longtime rival, in more ways than one. In this case, game day doesn’t just mean Saturday; it’s also one of the biggest traveling shows in all of sports.
Prime time will once again belong to the U on Saturday night, as the university turns into the epicenter of the college football universe. What promises to be a clash between two of Florida’s most historic programs: the No. 4 undefeated Canes and the University of Florida Gators.
“Prepare, get ready. Kings of Florida, we’ll see who it is,” said a University of Miami student.
“I’m very excited,” said another UM student.
Will the Gators be able to swim outside the Swamp surrounded by orange and green? The fans who spoke with 7News on Thursday are confident.
“[Orange and green] runs through my veins. It looks like we’re gonna run through the Gators defense,” said UM student Ashton Weisman. “I mean, have we seen how we have been doing all football season?”
The big game will bring the eyes of the nation to the U, as ESPN’s College GameDay returns to South Florida, and the anticipation is electric.
“I’m a junior right now, I’ve been waiting two years. It’s finally time. The setup looks sick,” said Weisman. “I’m waking up at 4:30 in the morning, I’ll be in line, I’ll be the first one there. It’s honestly unreal.”
“I mean, I study out here and have my food, my lunch and my dinner, out in this area, so seeing it all closed off and these big screens is kind of awesome. I can’t wait to do it on Saturday,” said UM student Luke Miles.
GameDay will take center stage live from the Lakeside Patio, across from the Shalala Student Center, from 9 a.m. to noon. Setup started Thursday, as crews built out the iconic GameDay stage.
“I have yet to see this in person, and I’m a huge fan of Pat McAfee and all of them,” said a UM student. “You’ve got Pat McAfee, you know what I mean? You got a kick here going for hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
“It’s a crazy experience, it really is. I saw this; this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I don’t know if it will ever come back, so I’m taking it, like, by the horns,” said UM student Kallia Siderakis.
This is the ninth time Miami has hosted College GameDay, but it’s the second time the show will be on campus. The last time the show came to Coral Gables, the Canes stunned Notre Dame in a 41-8 victory.
College GameDay host Desmond Howard is expecting another showstopper.
“It’s always good when we have the traditional bluebloods, like the Miamis, like the Florida States, when they’re relevant again in college football,” he said. “So we’re very happy to be here, GameDay is excited to be here, and obviously, it’s a big rivalry, Florida versus Miami, so what more can you ask for?”
These Canes are ready to rally.
“Go Canes. Gators suck,” said Miles.
“I feel like if you aren’t there, then, like, where else would you be?” said another UM student.
College GameDay also announced Florida Panthers player Matthew Tkachuk will be their celebrity guest speaker.
You can catch this Sunshine State showdown on ABC Miami, beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. You can also tune in to the We Got U Covered pregame special, also on ABC Miami, starting at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.
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