Fansided

15 non-conference games that will shape the 2019 College Football Playoff

By Nate Williamson

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 09: Georgia Bulldogs nose tackle John Atkins (97) waits for the snap during the college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgia Bulldogs on September 9, 2017, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 09: Georgia Bulldogs nose tackle John Atkins (97) waits for the snap during the college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgia Bulldogs on September 9, 2017, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Miami head coach Mark Richt, right, and defensive coordinator Manny Diaz talk on the sidelines during the first quarter against Pittsburgh at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. The host Hurricanes won, 24-3. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)
Miami head coach Mark Richt, right, and defensive coordinator Manny Diaz talk on the sidelines during the first quarter against Pittsburgh at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. The host Hurricanes won, 24-3. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images) /

5. Miami (FL) vs Florida

Any time that you get two in-state schools going head to head, it’s more than likely going to mean that much extra to the players. Two teams with bad blood face off in this match-up, which also features two teams that desperately need to get their season off on the right foot. The Gators and the Hurricanes haven’t faced off since way back in 2013, but Dan Mullen and Manny Diaz will both be looking for a huge win in their first game of the season.

Diaz’s Hurricanes have already made a splash nationally as they’ve taken key players from this year’s “Transfer Portal” extravaganza, and also have landed a stellar recruiting class. The Hurricanes have already landed Tate Martell for the upcoming year. Martell, who has looked promising in limited play-time with his former school Ohio State, will without a doubt bring talent at the quarterback spot.

With a group of freshmen that could be high impact players and a lot of returning talent from last year’s team, Miami could give this solid Florida team a run for their money to open the year. When this game opens up at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, you should have no doubts that they’ll be desperate for that first landmark win in Diaz’s tenure.

Florida returns much of the team that went 10-3 last season and dismantled a Michigan team in a New Year’s Six Bowl. The process to return Florida to the once-great program of years past accelerated a little bit last year with some key wins, and head coach Mullen will look to continue on a season that saw them finish rated in the top 10.

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