When the Gators and Hurricanes meet in The Swamp Saturday, more than just a game will be on the line.
With more than 20 nationally ranked prospects planning to be in attendance, the two in-state powers will be playing for the future of their programs.
Throughout his tenure at UF, coach Urban Meyer has picked out the two biggest home games of the season to host recruits on their official visits. This is one of those weekends.
Every run, pass and tackle will be a glimpse into the future for some of the state's brightest high school football stars.
Trent Richardson, widely considered to be the state's best running back, will make the drive down from Pensacola Saturday.
Richardson has verbally committed to Alabama but is still making visits to other schools.
UF and LSU have both been in the race for the Escambia High senior's services.
Richardson has stated that he would like to play in the Southeastern Conference, but Miami has started to make a strong push for the five-star prospect.
Other in-state prospects planning to be in attendance include Sanford wide receiver Andre Debose and Tampa tight end Orson Charles.
One prospect who is disappointed he won't be there for the game is Jheranie Boyd.
The 6-foot-2 wide receiver planned to make the drive from Ashbrook, N.C., for the game but will be unable to make it due to a change in plans. He said he hopes to make it to another game this season.
Boyd, who has long been considered to be leaning toward Clemson, is now strongly considering the Gators after watching the Tigers get dismantled by Alabama over the weekend.
"I still like Clemson, but Florida is definitely in the mix," he said. "It's those two above everybody else. "
Boyd was in town in July for UF's Friday Night Lights camp.
He came away just as impressed with the campus as he did with the football program.
"There sure are a lot of pretty girls down there," he said.
But even if the Gators are able to beat up on Miami Saturday, don't expect it to keep the Hurricanes out of the mix for many of the top players in the state of Florida.
Despite a 5-7 record last season, Miami was able to bring in the nation's No. 3-ranked recruiting class, according to Scout.com - a class that included eight players from south Florida powerhouse Miami Northwestern, a recruiting feat that had not been seen since UF was able to haul in seven Lakeland High products in 2007.
Many of those former Miami Northwestern players, including freshman quarterback Jacory Harris, who threw for 190 yards and a touchdown in Miami's opener against Charleston Southern, will be on the field Saturday.
Harris is expected to split time with Hurricanes starter Robert Marve.
Former Northwestern stars Sean Spence and Marcus Forston are also expected to start at linebacker and defensive tackle.
The 6-foot-2, 302-pound Forston expects to impress in his first trip to The Swamp.
"It's not intimidating for any of us," Forston told The Miami Herald. "All of us came from winning high schools. We played on TV. We played in big games. We love to step up to the plate, and we love competing."
