{"id":303832,"date":"2026-06-11T12:40:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T12:40:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/303832\/"},"modified":"2026-06-11T12:40:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T12:40:13","slug":"2026-miami-football-early-opponent-preview-game-2-florida-am","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/303832\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Miami Football Early Opponent Preview, Game 2: Florida A&M"},"content":{"rendered":"

After starting their season off on the West Coast against Stanford, the Miami Hurricanes will return to Coral Gables for their home opener against the Florida A&M Rattlers. <\/p>\n

Scheduling an in-state HBCU will never be a bad look for Miami, and while keeping these traditions alive is important, what the U will really gain out of this is a solid crowd for its home opener, a chance to score a lot of points, and ample opportunity to show off its new, glittery offense. <\/p>\n

That being said, this is a FAMU team that went 5-7 last season and did make a trip to Hard Rock Stadium for its season opener against Howard in the Orange Blossom Classic, so the Rattlers aren’t walking into a totally new environment. The new-look Rattlers also bring a fresh head coach to the table, who will look to make a statement against the Canes. <\/p>\n

2026 Miami Football Early Opponent Preview, Game 2: FAMU <\/p>\n

The Offense\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida A&M Rattlers head coach Quinn Gray Sr. leads his team during warmups for the ‘Friday Night Strike’ Orange and Green Spring Football Game on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, Friday, April 3, 2026. | Gerald Thomas \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The buzz around Tallahassee and FAMU is all about first-year head coach Quinn Gray, who came to FAMU from Albany State, where he posted three consecutive winning seasons. He brought in a litany of transfers from Albany State, including quarterback Isaiah Knowles. <\/p>\n

This is a homecoming for Gray, who played quarterback at FAMU before logging a more-than-solid career in the NFL. Alongside Knowles, FAMU added two quarterback prospects: one from the portal in Alabama State transfer James Hayes, and another in Thomas County Central (GA) prospect Jaylen Johnson. <\/p>\n

While Gray’s offense will still need to be proven in the SWAC, Albany State managed to put up 33 points per game in 2025 and averaged nearly 200 rushing yards per contest. Couple that with around 200 pass yards per game, and the offensive resum\u00e9 for Gray gets harder to ignore. <\/p>\n

This won’t be the FAMU of last year, but that doesn’t mean that Miami shouldn’t still handle its business. <\/p>\n

Defense\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida A&M Rattlers defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Ryan Lewis Sr. at Quinn Fordham Gray Sr.’s first prospect camp as the FAMU Rattlers head football coach on FAMU’s campus on Saturday, June 6, 2026. Nearly 400 players participated and worked out in front of the FAMU Rattlers coaching staff. | Gerald Thomas \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The defense for FAMU was its Achilles’ heel in 2025. In fact, Gray and company almost bested the Rattlers in Club Bragg when Albany State visited last season. The Golden Rams managed to put up 25 points on the Rattlers. <\/p>\n

When it played against the upper echelons of the SWAC, the same story held true. Jackson State, Alabama State, Bethune-Cookman and Mississippi Valley State all put up at least 35 points against the Rattlers. FAMU hopes that the addition of Ryan Lewis Sr. as defensive coordinator will remedy its troubles, or at least start to do so, in 2026. <\/p>\n

Lewis comes to FAMU from Alabama State, where his defenses were among the most impressive in the SWAC. <\/p>\n

Schedule\"FAMU<\/p>\n

Florida A&M quarterback RJ Johnson (12) is sacked by Florida Atlantic defenders during first half action at FAU Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Boca Raton, FL. | Jeff Romance \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n

After traveling to Stanford for the season opener, having a team like FAMU awaiting the Hurricanes in Coral Gables is as good of a get as one could ask for. The first two matchups of the year are as low-pressure as could be.<\/p>\n

While the U is probably paying close to seven figures for this game to take place, it’s worth it for the final tune-up before ramping up the schedule and to keep a tradition alive in the Sunshine State. <\/p>\n

Much like Game One<\/a>, Miami will be a heavy favorite in this matchup, and rightly so. <\/p>\n

Outlook<\/p>\n

All signs point toward Miami having no trouble starting the year off 2-0. Stanford and FAU shouldn’t put up much of a fight against Miami’s hopes of returning to the National Title game. <\/p>\n

Next week, though, is when things get serious as ACC play rolls on with a bout against Wake Forest. <\/p>\n

The Game<\/p>\n

Date:\u00a0September 10
Time:\u00a08 p.m. ET
TV:\u00a0ACC Network +
Location:\u00a0Hard Rock Stadium
Series History:\u00a0Miami leads 3-0
Last Meeting:\u00a02024<\/p>\n

The Team<\/p>\n

The Coach:\u00a0Quinn Gray
Offensive Coordinator:\u00a0Nicholas Sewak
Defensive Coordinator:\u00a0Ryan Lewis Sr.
2025 Record:\u00a05-7
2025 Rankings:\u00a0N\/A
Players to Watch:\u00a0Isaiah Knowles, QB
Top Newcomer:\u00a0Mike Peterson Jr., WR, Florida
Biggest Question:\u00a0How will Gray’s offense transition to the next level?<\/p>\n

The School<\/p>\n

Location:\u00a0Tallahassee, Florida
Founded:\u00a0October 3, 1887
Enrollment:\u00a0~8,000
Nickname:\u00a0The Rattlers
Colors:\u00a0Pantone 151 (Orange), Pantone 348 (Green)
Mascot:\u00a0“Venom” the Rattler<\/p>\n

The Program<\/p>\n

Last Win in the Series:\u00a0N\/A
Last ACC Title:\u00a0N\/A
National Championships:\u00a01978 (DI-AA), 17 Black College Football Nat’l Championships
Playoff Appearances:\u00a0N\/A
Last missed bowl season:\u00a02025
Heisman Trophies:\u00a0N\/A<\/p>\n

The Schedule<\/p>\n

September 10, 9 p.m., Miami Hurricanes vs. FAMU Rattlers<\/p>\n

This is the second story in Miami Hurricanes on SI’s\u00a0early preview series of all 12 regular-season opponents for Miami football in 2026.<\/p>\n

Follow all social media platforms to stay up to date with everything Miami Hurricanes-related:\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Instagram<\/a>,\u00a0Youtube<\/a>, and\u00a0BlueSky<\/a>.\"\"Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow<\/a>