Reports: Inside As Florida Gators face toughest football schedule in recent memory

Eight games against teams ranked in the AP Preseason Top 25

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — It’s unlikely that Florida will ever create a schedule like this again, and nobody really should.

It’s intimidating, bold, and may even seem reckless in an era where 12 teams — and possibly 16 in the future — qualify for the College Football Playoff.

This schedule stirs up plenty of discussions and debates, but it presents a significant challenge for coach Billy Napier, especially in a season where many expect to see improvement following two straight losing years.

The Gators are set to face eight teams ranked in the preseason Associated Press Top 25, starting with No. 19 Miami in the Swamp on August 31. It’s an unprecedented gauntlet for the program.

“Every week’s going to be a battle,” said safety Asa Turner.

This tough schedule is one reason bookmakers have set Florida’s over/under for wins in 2024 at 4.5, and why SEC media predicted the Gators would finish 12th out of 16 in the competitive conference.

“We’ve experienced a roller coaster of opinions around us,” tight end Arlis Boardingham noted. “But we try to ignore that and focus on our goals.

“We’re ready to prove them wrong.”

Fairly, Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin had some of the schedule in place before the SEC welcomed Texas and Oklahoma, forcing a shift in conference matchups.

Florida’s regular games against Missouri, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt are now replaced with contests against No. 20 Texas A&M, No. 4 Texas, and No. 6 Mississippi.

When you add No. 15 Tennessee, top-ranked Georgia, No. 13 LSU, and No. 10 Florida State, the Gators face the toughest schedule in the nation and the most grueling in their history.

To make it even harder, games against Georgia, Texas, LSU, Ole Miss, and FSU are spread across five Saturdays in November.

In previous years — 1987, 1991, and 2000 — Florida faced seven ranked teams, but those included bowl games. This current path is unique, also featuring a home game against a formidable UCF in early October.

“It’s a healthy thing,” Napier remarked. “It’s beneficial for our team to focus on this challenging period. It may encourage them to push a little harder and be more detailed.

“You’re planning, preparing, and working hard for a significant challenge.”

This challenge may not come again soon, but with the SEC possibly shifting to a nine-game league schedule by 2026, it can’t be entirely ruled out.

Still, Florida has already diluted some future schedules, canceling home-and-home series with California (2026, 2027) and North Carolina State (2026, 2032). However, they have contracts with Arizona State (2028, 2031), Colorado (2028, 2029), and Notre Dame (2031, 2032).

Stricklin arranged these games to diversify Florida’s home slate and give fans a chance to see new opponents. What seemed like a good strategy has collided with the evolving landscape of college football.

Now, the Gators are faced with a schedule that few would welcome. It’s certainly a challenge but also presents an opportunity.

“We need to control what we can and work to minimize our mistakes,” Napier said. “It’s about sharpening the axe to be ready for the challenges ahead.”