College football analysts Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman believe Billy Napier’s Florida Gators are in a stronger position next season than Mario Cristobal’s Miami Hurricanes. While discussing the 2025 season on The Andy & Ari Show, presented by On3Sports, the two analysts outlined several factors that indicate why the Gators are in a much better spot than their in-state counterparts.
This season, the Gators had a disappointing campaign, finishing 8-5 overall and 4-4 in SEC play. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes posted a 10-3 record, going 6-2 against ACC opponents. However, as Staples and Wasserman noted, both programs will look significantly different next season.
Andy Staples, Ari Wasserman’s Florida, Miami Comparison
Staples and Wasserman pointed to key player departures as a major reason the Gators could be set up for more success in 2025. Miami is expected to lose several stars to the NFL, including quarterback Cam Ward, which factored into their rankings for next season.
Their “way-too-early” Top 25 rankings placed Florida at No. 9, while Miami landed at No. 21.
Are the Florida Gators, Billy Napier in a BETTER Spot than Miami, Mario Cristobal?
As @Andy_Staples & @AriWasserman reveal their way too early top 25, a commenter points out the drastic difference in Florida & Miami. Andy and Ari explain, @GatorsOnline @CaneSport pic.twitter.com/StsqHvGHtk
— On3 VIDEO (@On3Video) January 22, 2025
“I do think Florida is on a better trajectory than Miami because I watched the end of last season. We were at the Florida-Miami game—Miami was clearly better than Florida in that game. If Florida’s offensive and defensive lines had played the way they did against Miami and Texas A&M for the rest of the season, Florida wouldn’t even be on this list.
“But the difference is, Florida’s offensive and defensive lines were mauling LSU and Ole Miss at the end of the season, and DJ Lagway is DJ Lagway. Meanwhile, Miami doesn’t have Cam Ward anymore, doesn’t have Xavier Restrepo anymore, doesn’t have Jacolby George anymore, and has Carson Beck coming off elbow surgery. So if you want to compare those two things, yeah, Florida definitely seems like it’s on a better trajectory,” they said.
Florida Gators, Miami Hurricanes 2025 Season Outlook
Both programs will look different next season, but Miami will have to adjust to losing its star quarterback. Ward was the driving force behind the Hurricanes’ success in 2024, throwing for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns.
MORE: Way-Too-Early Top 25 Power Rankings for 2025
Given Miami’s key departures and Florida’s momentum late in the season, it’s clear why Staples and Wasserman believe the Gators are set up for greater success in 2025.
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