Miami football might get another piece of the Florida Gators

Update: Florida is receptive to another game against Miami, according to the Miami Herald, but would likely only agree to a neutral-site game. Miami athletic director Blake James told the Herald that Orlando might work.

Such a game would satisfy Miami’s out-of-conference scheduling requirements, as the ACC’s new plan calls for at least one game against a power-conference opponent per season. Florida already plays Florida State, so it’s covered.

And what if Miami and Florida had never abandoned their series to begin with? Alligator Army imagines the full history of the rivalry.

Before Saturday’s meeting, the Gators and Hurricanes had only played three times in the regular season dating back to 1987. The two schools did meet in bowl games in 2001 and 2004, though that was mostly by luck of the draw. Before the annual series ending in 1987, Miami and Florida had played every year since 1938. The ‘Canes lead the all-time series, 29-26.

There are a lot of complications that come with extending the rivalry. Given how difficult of a schedule both schools face every season, it’s tough to justify adding yet another challenging game to the slate. Imagine you’re a Florida player; would you rather have to give everything you’ve got against a good Miami team with the likes of Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina looming on the schedule, or would you rather beat up on a low-level FBS school to work the kinks out? For two schools with aspirations of reaching the new college football playoff, there’s really no doubt about it.

Florida also has been reluctant to travel for out-of-conference games in recent years. Again, with its conference slate so difficult, there’s really no need to try to earn style points in the opening weeks of the season. It’s about 350 miles from Gainesville to Miami, and that’s hardly an easy trip to make.

The fans may want it to happen, but as of now, it doesn’t seem too likely that any kind of agreement is reached any time soon.