What are your biggest takeaways from this year’s Miami team as you’ve watched them throughout the offseason leading up to Week 1?
Sims: “I would say Miami, on paper, probably the best team they've had in the last 15 years. They seem to rally around transfer [quarterback] Cam Ward. He seems to be the face of the program right now, face of the team. He’s able to step up a lot, be a leader in that room, coaches speak highly of him and players speak highly of him. The hype around him has been really great for the team. I think they're pretty excited. Obviously, big transfers in [running back] Damien Martinez and [wide receiver] Sam Brown. Two big offensive pieces, so I think the hype is real. This team believes they can be really good.”
Looking at Cam Ward's skill set, what sticks out to you as far as what he brings to the table offensively?
Sims: “I think Ward presents a unique combination of what Miami had in their QB room last year, because they had Van Dyke, they had Brown. Brown was more of a rusher, Van Dyke was more of a pocket passer. Ward kind of combines both those skill sets and does them at a higher level. So I think he really opens up a new dynamic for Miami's offense. I think Ward just opens up a new ceiling for the Miami offense, as well as raising the floor and his ability to extend plays.”
Defensively, who are going to be some playmakers that Florida will have to pay close attention to?
Sims: “Rueben Bain, All-American Freshman last year. He's a monster. He's a very scary individual. I assume he will be out there every play for Miami's defense, they like to move him around up front, put his hand in the dirt. So he's probably Miami's premier pass rusher along with Tyler Baron, a transfer from Tennessee. He had a bunch of sacks over there with them in the SEC. So those two edge rushers [and] Kiko Mauigoa as the starting inside linebacker. He's a big threat. He's really great at covering the pass, covering the run. Smart guy leading the defense. On the back-end, I wouldn’t say that Miami’s corners are fantastic. There’s nobody that I would be like ‘oh he’s gonna lock down any Florida receiver’. But Mishael Powell, a transfer from Washington playing safety, he was really solid for them over the last couple years and has experience.”
What gives you confidence that Mario Cristobal will be able to get this season started off on the right track against Florida?
Sims: “I would like to be optimistic about Cristobal and I can say for sure that he’s one heck of a recruiter. He's a great leader of men, if that makes sense. He’s great at hyping up his program and getting people into his culture but the in-game coaching still has struggled. Executing plays, running offense, calling defense, not that he does those specifically, but putting guys in positions to do that, making critical decisions. I don't have as much confidence in him as a head coach on the field, but obviously you look at their recruiting classes and the portal. I have confidence in him bringing in some of the recruiting classes and getting guys to Miami. I’m cautiously optimistic because this is the best team that I’ve ever seen on paper in my lifetime.”
What’s the ceiling for this Miami team in the win/loss column?
Sims: “I think Miami can very easily win nine games, but I think the game at Florida is a toss up. I think a lot of people are kind of writing Florida off, and this will not be an easy game for them to win. The Swamp is a very difficult place to play, there’s a bunch of new pieces. It's not like Florida is bad. They're a solid team. Like I said, this is not Bethune Cookman. Florida is legit. So I think a lot of Miami fans, if this game is close in the first half, they’ll start freaking out.
How much do you think the atmosphere at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium will impact the outcome of this game?
Sims: “I think it'll be a big factor. Miami is not great under the spotlight. And I think Florida is a very hostile place, especially because Miami plays in a fairly empty stadium at home. It’s Week 1 so this will be very difficult. The atmosphere cannot be understated, it's not just like ‘oh we’re on the road’. Like no, we’re in The Swamp, at Florida. I think it will make communication really difficult especially for their first time in live action. Yes, I am worried about this being a road game for Miami. I think if this game is at home, I’d feel a lot better about Miami's chances.”
Contact Max Tucker at mtucker@alligator.org. Follow him on X @Max_Tuckr1.
Max Tucker is a junior transfer student at UF. After obtaining his A.A. in Journalism from Santa Fe College in 2023, he chose further his education at Florida's College of Journalism and Communications. Max is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Journalism with a specialization in sports and media. He enjoys golfing and going to the beach with his friends in his free time.
