South Bound & Down
Fansided

The state of Florida football’s non-conference scheduling

By Nick Knudsen

GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 01: London Johnson #1 of the Charleston Southern Buccaneers looses the ball during the game against the Florida football team at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 01: London Johnson #1 of the Charleston Southern Buccaneers looses the ball during the game against the Florida football team at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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GAINESVILLE, FL – SEPTEMBER 06: Wide receiver Percy Harvin #1 of the Florida football team tries to leap over a pile of blockers while taking on the Miami Hurricanes at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 6, 2008 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL – SEPTEMBER 06: Wide receiver Percy Harvin #1 of the Florida football team tries to leap over a pile of blockers while taking on the Miami Hurricanes at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 6, 2008 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) /

Florida

  • percent of non-conference games played in home state since 1980: 96.1%
  • number of states traveled to since 1980: 6
  • Power Five non-conference games in the playoff era (since 2014): 6 (5 vs FSU)
  • Power Five non-conference road games in the playoff era (since 2014): 3 (all at FSU)
  • number of home-and-home series with different BCS/Power Five opponents (since 1998): 2 (Miami (FL) and Florida State)

Florida football is missing out on an opportunity to create more of a national identity. Road games to new destinations are appealing to both fans and potential recruits alike. Lining up games against attractive Power Five opponents will create media buzz and guarantee that Florida can grab time in the national spotlight early each season.

Over the last ten years, the approximate time when the national relevance of the mid-September Tennessee rivalry wore off, Florida has often been relegated to an afterthought on the national level throughout the first month of the season.

I understand the need for home games, the revenue they generate, and how that revenue has far reaches within an athletic department, but replacing the FCS game with a Power Five home-and-home could do wonders for Florida football on a national level without setting the athletic department back and would be welcome change among college football fans.

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