Ranking the No. 1 Florida college football game in 2024

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Even if you happen to’ve adopted each rumor and replace of this convention realignment cycle, this season’s college football schedules are nonetheless arduous to grasp.

At least they had been for me after I continued my annual custom of rating each game that includes a Florida group in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

The Gators play at new SEC member Texas for the first time since 1939. USF doesn’t play SMU. Florida State does, nevertheless, as a result of the Mustangs have moved up from the American Athletic Conference to the Atlantic Coast Conferenceregardless of, you already know, not being wherever close to the Atlantic.

Neither is Cal, which performs its first ACC game at FSU and faces Miami in his first convention house game. UCF’s sophomore season in the Big 12 contains all 4 newcomers: Arizona, Arizona State, Utah and Colorado (nonetheless led by Deion Sanders).

As if these new pairings weren’t sufficient, the schedules additionally really feel larger as the College Football Playoff expands to 12 groups. Memphis-USF isn’t merely an fascinating AAC matchup; it may have playoff implications for one, if not each, groups.

I weighed all these elements together with my ordinary, unscientific metric (my pleasure stage) as I ranked each game in the state from 77 to 1.

77. Monmouth at Florida International, Sept. 21

I don’t know what number of packages in the nation have zero Floridians on their roster, however Monmouth is one in all them.

76. Wagner at Florida Atlantic, Sept. 28

75. Charleston Southern at Florida State, Nov. 23

74. Bethune-Cookman at USF, Aug. 31

73. New Hampshire at UCF, Aug. 29 (Thursday)

Notable as a result of it’s the debut of recent UCF quarterback KJ Jeffersonand it’s a weeknight.

72. Florida A&M at Miami (Sept. 7)

71. Samford at Florida, Sept. 7

The Bulldogs hung 52 on the Gators in their final journey to Gainesville (a loss) in a game that helped doom Dan Mullen’s tenure. If Samford does it once more this yr…

70. Sam Houston at UCF, Sept. 7

69. Sam Houston at Florida International, Oct. 22 (Tuesday)

68. Florida Atlantic at UConn, Sept. 21

67. Ball State at Miami, Sept. 14

Gaither High product Kiael Kelly began six video games at quarterback for Ball State final yr, briefly entered the switch portal however remained with the Cardinals as an athlete (listed at defensive again).

66. New Mexico State at Florida International, Oct. 29 (Tuesday)

65. Florida Atlantic at Temple, Nov. 16

64. Louisiana Tech at Florida International, Sept. 28

63. Florida International at Texas El Paso, Oct. 16 (Wednesday)

62. Florida International at Kennesaw State, Nov. 23

It’s arduous to see the Panthers difficult for a bowl look with no win over the Owls, who’re leaping to the Football Bowl Subdivision.

61. Florida Atlantic at Tulsa, Nov. 30

It’s additionally arduous to see the Owls difficult for a bowl look with out successful this regular-season finale.

60. Tulsa at USF, Nov. 23

59. Florida International at Jacksonville State, Nov. 16

58. USF at Southern Miss, Sept. 14

57. Middle Tennessee at Florida International, Nov. 30

Curious to see how the Blue Raiders finish their first season underneath former Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason.

56. North Texas at Florida Atlantic, Oct. 12

55. Charlotte at Florida Atlantic, Nov. 23

54. Charlotte at USF, Nov. 16

Max Brown flashed at occasions in his first profession begin (for the Gators in final yr’s finale in opposition to FSU). Can he lead Charlotte to respectability in his first yr there?

53. Navy at USF, Nov. 9

52. Rice at USF, Nov. 29/30

51. Florida Atlantic at East Carolina, Nov. 7 (Thursday)

50. Army at Florida Atlantic, Sept. 7

West Point’s first convention game in twenty years (when the Black Knights had been in Conference USA with the likes of USF, Louisville and Cincinnati).

49. Central Michigan at Florida International, Sept. 7

Keep a watch on Chippewas quarterback Bert Emanuel Jr., son of the former Bucs receiver. He’s a dynamic playmaker for ex-Gators coach Jim McElwain (29-28 in 5 seasons at Central Michigan).

48. Cincinnati at UCF, Oct. 12

47. Florida Atlantic at Texas San Antonio, Oct. 19

46. Florida International at Florida Atlantic, Sept. 14

The Shula Bowl is again after a one-year hiatus. The Owls have gained six in a row.

45. Alabama Birmingham at USF, Oct. 19

The Bulls’ homecoming game can be a homecoming for Blazers coach (and former Bucs quarterback) Trent Dilfer. It’ll be his first significant motion at Raymond James Stadium since successful Super Bowl 35 with the Ravens.

44. Wake Forest at Miami, Nov. 23

43. Florida International at Indiana, Aug. 31

The Hoosiers debut of Curt Cignetti, who changed Tom Allen (a former Hillsborough County prep coach).

42. Florida Atlantic at Michigan State, Aug. 30 (Friday)

The Spartans debut of Jonathan Smith, who went a good 34-35 at Oregon State.

41. FSU at Duke, Oct. 18 (Friday)

40. USF at Florida Atlantic, Nov. 1 (Friday)

USF followers insist it’s not a rivalry, however the Owls planting a state flag at house after blowing out the Bulls provides some juice to this in-state AAC matchup.

39. Florida at Mississippi State, Sept. 21

38. Miami at Syracuse, Nov. 30

37. Florida International at Liberty, Oct. 8 (Tuesday)

A weeknight game offers an excuse to observe the Flames — a Conference USA favourite that can be in the playoff combine.

36. BYU at UCF, Oct. 26

35. UCF at Arizona State, Nov. 9

College football in 2024: touring from Orlando to Arizona for a convention game of a league based mostly in Texas.

34. UCF at West Virginia, Nov. 23

33. UCF at TCU, Sept. 14

32. Cal at FSU, Sept. 21

31. Miami at Cal, Oct. 5

30. Duke at Miami, Nov. 2

Manny Diaz returns to Hard Rock Stadium for the first time since he was fired so the Hurricanes may rent Mario Cristobal. If Cristobal loses this one, issues will develop very uncomfortable.

29. Arizona at UCF, Nov. 2

28. Kentucky at Florida, Oct. 19

A Gators loss would imply their first four-game shedding streak to Kentucky since 1948-51.

27. Boston College at FSU, Sept. 2 (Monday)

This excessive as a result of it’s the solely Labor Day matchup, it’s the Eagles debut for former Penn State/Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien and since Boston College quarterback (and UCF switch) Thomas Castellanos is enjoyable to observe. FSU higher not have jet lag from its Ireland opener.

26. Texas A&M at Florida, Sept. 14

25. Miami at Georgia Tech, Nov. 9

24. UCF at Iowa State, Oct. 19

A convention highway win in opposition to Wiregrass Ranch High alumnus Rocco Becht can be huge for the Knights’ trajectory.

23. Miami at Louisville, Oct. 19

22. North Carolina at FSU, Nov. 2

Max Johnson — son of Bucs Super Bowl champion Brad Johnson — beat the Gators for LSU, beat Miami for Texas A&M and can attempt to beat the Seminoles for the Tar Heels (assuming he wins the beginning job).

21. USF at Alabama, Sept. 7

The Bulls gained’t sneak up on ‘Bama this time, particularly on the day the faculty names its subject after Nick Saban.

20. USF at Tulane, Sept. 28

An early indicator of whether or not the Bulls can break into the high tier of the AAC.

19. FSU vs. Georgia Tech in Dublin, Aug. 24

DJ Uiagalelei’s debut and the Irish setting makes this opener rather more fascinating.

18. UCF at Utah, Nov. 29 (Friday)

The regular-season finale ought to have excessive stakes for the Utes, a Big 12 and playoff contender.

17. Miami at USF, Sept. 21

Higher than USF-Alabama as a result of it must be tighter. Put this on upset watch.

16. Memphis at FSU, Sept. 14

Obvious story line: Seminoles coach Mike Norvell in opposition to his previous group (led by his former assistant, Ryan Silverfield). More essential story line: If the Tigers win the AAC, a win in Tallahassee would bolster their playoff case as the high mid-major champion.

15. FSU at SMU, Sept. 28

The Mustangs’ first league game as a power-conference group is a harmful highway journey for the ‘Noles.

14. Virginia Tech at Miami, Sept. 27 (Friday)

The Hokies are a dark-horse ACC contender. Hopefully this weeknight game has the identical buzz as their 2017, top-15 showdown did.

13. UCF at Florida, Oct. 5

Big for Billy Napier’s future as a result of it’s not the Gators’ biggest-name opponent. If he loses this one in opposition to an in-state program some Florida followers nonetheless view as a mere directional faculty, the angst will spike.

12. Memphis at USF, Oct. 11 (Friday)

They mixed for 109 factors and greater than 1,100 yards in USF’s two-score loss final yr. This matchup must also be explosive … with convention title implications, too.

11. Mississippi at Florida, Nov. 23

Lane Kiffin’s Rebels are playoff contenders and must be favored for his or her first win at Florida since 2008 (Tim Tebow’s now-famous “promise” speech).

10. Colorado at UCF, Sept. 28

FSU legend Deion Sanders is again in Florida, and a few in the business assume his head teaching profession could have a run in the state earlier than it ends. For now, the Coach Prime hype alone isn’t sufficient to raise a matchup of two mid-tier Big 12 groups any increased.

9. Florida vs. Georgia (Jacksonville), Nov. 2

Only one in all the final 10 conferences has been determined by one rating. This one must be lopsided, too, as the Bulldogs make one other run at a nationwide title.

8. Florida at Texas, Nov. 9

The Longhorns are additionally nationwide title contenders and have an open date earlier than internet hosting the Gators. A troublesome matchup at a tricky time for UF.

7. Florida at Tennessee, Oct. 12

Considering how brutal the Gators’ November seems, the probability for a highway rivalry win in opposition to a group with playoff potential makes this matchup big.

6. Florida at Florida State, Nov. 30

Lukewarm prediction: The Seminoles will have the ability to basically seal a playoff spot with a win, whereas the Gators’ bowl eligibility rests on the end result.

5. LSU at Florida, Nov. 16

The highest of the Gators’ season-ending five-game gauntlet as a result of it’s looks like their most winnable matchup. The Tigers are a much bigger wild card than the relaxation as a result of they change Heisman winner Jayden Daniels with Garrett Nussmeier (son of former Florida assistant Doug Nussmeier). A victory over a preseason playoff contender would buoy Napier’s job safety.

4. FSU at Notre Dame, Nov. 9

(*1*)

FSU is one in all the few marquee video games in Notre Dame’s mediocre schedule, which implies it’s big for the impartial Irish’s playoff resume.

3. FSU at Miami, Oct. 26

If Cristobal’s Hurricanes take off this fall, this rivalry could have ACC championship stakes for each side…

2. Clemson at FSU, Oct. 5

… however I’m rather more assured this one could have larger ACC implications. It will even be one other referendum on the Tigers’ standing as a nationwide energy underneath transfer-phobic Dabo Swinney.

1. Miami at Florida, Aug. 31

A comparatively straightforward alternative for a couple of causes. The stakes are huge. Both coaches are coming into Year 3, so endurance is skinny in each fan bases. Either Napier or Cristobal will begin the season with a loss to an in-state peer their followers don’t like. The message boards will soften down as the sizzling seat chatter cranks up. The anxiousness can be excessive, which makes this the state’s most fascinating game of the yr.

• • •

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Even if you happen to’ve adopted each rumor and replace of this convention realignment cycle, this season’s college football schedules are nonetheless arduous to grasp.

At least they had been for me after I continued my annual custom of rating each game that includes a Florida group in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

The Gators play at new SEC member Texas for the first time since 1939. USF doesn’t play SMU. Florida State does, nevertheless, as a result of the Mustangs have moved up from the American Athletic Conference to the Atlantic Coast Conferenceregardless of, you already know, not being wherever close to the Atlantic.

Neither is Cal, which performs its first ACC game at FSU and faces Miami in his first convention house game. UCF’s sophomore season in the Big 12 contains all 4 newcomers: Arizona, Arizona State, Utah and Colorado (nonetheless led by Deion Sanders).

As if these new pairings weren’t sufficient, the schedules additionally really feel larger as the College Football Playoff expands to 12 groups. Memphis-USF isn’t merely an fascinating AAC matchup; it may have playoff implications for one, if not each, groups.

I weighed all these elements together with my ordinary, unscientific metric (my pleasure stage) as I ranked each game in the state from 77 to 1.

77. Monmouth at Florida International, Sept. 21

I don’t know what number of packages in the nation have zero Floridians on their roster, however Monmouth is one in all them.

76. Wagner at Florida Atlantic, Sept. 28

75. Charleston Southern at Florida State, Nov. 23

74. Bethune-Cookman at USF, Aug. 31

73. New Hampshire at UCF, Aug. 29 (Thursday)

Notable as a result of it’s the debut of recent UCF quarterback KJ Jeffersonand it’s a weeknight.

72. Florida A&M at Miami (Sept. 7)

71. Samford at Florida, Sept. 7

The Bulldogs hung 52 on the Gators in their final journey to Gainesville (a loss) in a game that helped doom Dan Mullen’s tenure. If Samford does it once more this yr…

70. Sam Houston at UCF, Sept. 7

69. Sam Houston at Florida International, Oct. 22 (Tuesday)

68. Florida Atlantic at UConn, Sept. 21

67. Ball State at Miami, Sept. 14

Gaither High product Kiael Kelly began six video games at quarterback for Ball State final yr, briefly entered the switch portal however remained with the Cardinals as an athlete (listed at defensive again).

66. New Mexico State at Florida International, Oct. 29 (Tuesday)

65. Florida Atlantic at Temple, Nov. 16

64. Louisiana Tech at Florida International, Sept. 28

63. Florida International at Texas El Paso, Oct. 16 (Wednesday)

62. Florida International at Kennesaw State, Nov. 23

It’s arduous to see the Panthers difficult for a bowl look with no win over the Owls, who’re leaping to the Football Bowl Subdivision.

61. Florida Atlantic at Tulsa, Nov. 30

It’s additionally arduous to see the Owls difficult for a bowl look with out successful this regular-season finale.

60. Tulsa at USF, Nov. 23

59. Florida International at Jacksonville State, Nov. 16

58. USF at Southern Miss, Sept. 14

57. Middle Tennessee at Florida International, Nov. 30

Curious to see how the Blue Raiders finish their first season underneath former Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason.

56. North Texas at Florida Atlantic, Oct. 12

55. Charlotte at Florida Atlantic, Nov. 23

54. Charlotte at USF, Nov. 16

Max Brown flashed at occasions in his first profession begin (for the Gators in final yr’s finale in opposition to FSU). Can he lead Charlotte to respectability in his first yr there?

53. Navy at USF, Nov. 9

52. Rice at USF, Nov. 29/30

51. Florida Atlantic at East Carolina, Nov. 7 (Thursday)

50. Army at Florida Atlantic, Sept. 7

West Point’s first convention game in twenty years (when the Black Knights had been in Conference USA with the likes of USF, Louisville and Cincinnati).

49. Central Michigan at Florida International, Sept. 7

Keep a watch on Chippewas quarterback Bert Emanuel Jr., son of the former Bucs receiver. He’s a dynamic playmaker for ex-Gators coach Jim McElwain (29-28 in 5 seasons at Central Michigan).

48. Cincinnati at UCF, Oct. 12

47. Florida Atlantic at Texas San Antonio, Oct. 19

46. Florida International at Florida Atlantic, Sept. 14

The Shula Bowl is again after a one-year hiatus. The Owls have gained six in a row.

45. Alabama Birmingham at USF, Oct. 19

The Bulls’ homecoming game can be a homecoming for Blazers coach (and former Bucs quarterback) Trent Dilfer. It’ll be his first significant motion at Raymond James Stadium since successful Super Bowl 35 with the Ravens.

44. Wake Forest at Miami, Nov. 23

43. Florida International at Indiana, Aug. 31

The Hoosiers debut of Curt Cignetti, who changed Tom Allen (a former Hillsborough County prep coach).

42. Florida Atlantic at Michigan State, Aug. 30 (Friday)

The Spartans debut of Jonathan Smith, who went a good 34-35 at Oregon State.

41. FSU at Duke, Oct. 18 (Friday)

40. USF at Florida Atlantic, Nov. 1 (Friday)

USF followers insist it’s not a rivalry, however the Owls planting a state flag at house after blowing out the Bulls provides some juice to this in-state AAC matchup.

39. Florida at Mississippi State, Sept. 21

38. Miami at Syracuse, Nov. 30

37. Florida International at Liberty, Oct. 8 (Tuesday)

A weeknight game offers an excuse to observe the Flames — a Conference USA favourite that can be in the playoff combine.

36. BYU at UCF, Oct. 26

35. UCF at Arizona State, Nov. 9

College football in 2024: touring from Orlando to Arizona for a convention game of a league based mostly in Texas.

34. UCF at West Virginia, Nov. 23

33. UCF at TCU, Sept. 14

32. Cal at FSU, Sept. 21

31. Miami at Cal, Oct. 5

30. Duke at Miami, Nov. 2

Manny Diaz returns to Hard Rock Stadium for the first time since he was fired so the Hurricanes may rent Mario Cristobal. If Cristobal loses this one, issues will develop very uncomfortable.

29. Arizona at UCF, Nov. 2

28. Kentucky at Florida, Oct. 19

A Gators loss would imply their first four-game shedding streak to Kentucky since 1948-51.

27. Boston College at FSU, Sept. 2 (Monday)

This excessive as a result of it’s the solely Labor Day matchup, it’s the Eagles debut for former Penn State/Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien and since Boston College quarterback (and UCF switch) Thomas Castellanos is enjoyable to observe. FSU higher not have jet lag from its Ireland opener.

26. Texas A&M at Florida, Sept. 14

25. Miami at Georgia Tech, Nov. 9

24. UCF at Iowa State, Oct. 19

A convention highway win in opposition to Wiregrass Ranch High alumnus Rocco Becht can be huge for the Knights’ trajectory.

23. Miami at Louisville, Oct. 19

22. North Carolina at FSU, Nov. 2

Max Johnson — son of Bucs Super Bowl champion Brad Johnson — beat the Gators for LSU, beat Miami for Texas A&M and can attempt to beat the Seminoles for the Tar Heels (assuming he wins the beginning job).

21. USF at Alabama, Sept. 7

The Bulls gained’t sneak up on ‘Bama this time, particularly on the day the faculty names its subject after Nick Saban.

20. USF at Tulane, Sept. 28

An early indicator of whether or not the Bulls can break into the high tier of the AAC.

19. FSU vs. Georgia Tech in Dublin, Aug. 24

DJ Uiagalelei’s debut and the Irish setting makes this opener rather more fascinating.

18. UCF at Utah, Nov. 29 (Friday)

The regular-season finale ought to have excessive stakes for the Utes, a Big 12 and playoff contender.

17. Miami at USF, Sept. 21

Higher than USF-Alabama as a result of it must be tighter. Put this on upset watch.

16. Memphis at FSU, Sept. 14

Obvious story line: Seminoles coach Mike Norvell in opposition to his previous group (led by his former assistant, Ryan Silverfield). More essential story line: If the Tigers win the AAC, a win in Tallahassee would bolster their playoff case as the high mid-major champion.

15. FSU at SMU, Sept. 28

The Mustangs’ first league game as a power-conference group is a harmful highway journey for the ‘Noles.

14. Virginia Tech at Miami, Sept. 27 (Friday)

The Hokies are a dark-horse ACC contender. Hopefully this weeknight game has the identical buzz as their 2017, top-15 showdown did.

13. UCF at Florida, Oct. 5

Big for Billy Napier’s future as a result of it’s not the Gators’ biggest-name opponent. If he loses this one in opposition to an in-state program some Florida followers nonetheless view as a mere directional faculty, the angst will spike.

12. Memphis at USF, Oct. 11 (Friday)

They mixed for 109 factors and greater than 1,100 yards in USF’s two-score loss final yr. This matchup must also be explosive … with convention title implications, too.

11. Mississippi at Florida, Nov. 23

Lane Kiffin’s Rebels are playoff contenders and must be favored for his or her first win at Florida since 2008 (Tim Tebow’s now-famous “promise” speech).

10. Colorado at UCF, Sept. 28

FSU legend Deion Sanders is again in Florida, and a few in the business assume his head teaching profession could have a run in the state earlier than it ends. For now, the Coach Prime hype alone isn’t sufficient to raise a matchup of two mid-tier Big 12 groups any increased.

9. Florida vs. Georgia (Jacksonville), Nov. 2

Only one in all the final 10 conferences has been determined by one rating. This one must be lopsided, too, as the Bulldogs make one other run at a nationwide title.

8. Florida at Texas, Nov. 9

The Longhorns are additionally nationwide title contenders and have an open date earlier than internet hosting the Gators. A troublesome matchup at a tricky time for UF.

7. Florida at Tennessee, Oct. 12

Considering how brutal the Gators’ November seems, the probability for a highway rivalry win in opposition to a group with playoff potential makes this matchup big.

6. Florida at Florida State, Nov. 30

Lukewarm prediction: The Seminoles will have the ability to basically seal a playoff spot with a win, whereas the Gators’ bowl eligibility rests on the end result.

5. LSU at Florida, Nov. 16

The highest of the Gators’ season-ending five-game gauntlet as a result of it’s looks like their most winnable matchup. The Tigers are a much bigger wild card than the relaxation as a result of they change Heisman winner Jayden Daniels with Garrett Nussmeier (son of former Florida assistant Doug Nussmeier). A victory over a preseason playoff contender would buoy Napier’s job safety.

4. FSU at Notre Dame, Nov. 9

(*1*)

FSU is one in all the few marquee video games in Notre Dame’s mediocre schedule, which implies it’s big for the impartial Irish’s playoff resume.

3. FSU at Miami, Oct. 26

If Cristobal’s Hurricanes take off this fall, this rivalry could have ACC championship stakes for each side…

2. Clemson at FSU, Oct. 5

… however I’m rather more assured this one could have larger ACC implications. It will even be one other referendum on the Tigers’ standing as a nationwide energy underneath transfer-phobic Dabo Swinney.

1. Miami at Florida, Aug. 31

A comparatively straightforward alternative for a couple of causes. The stakes are huge. Both coaches are coming into Year 3, so endurance is skinny in each fan bases. Either Napier or Cristobal will begin the season with a loss to an in-state peer their followers don’t like. The message boards will soften down as the sizzling seat chatter cranks up. The anxiousness can be excessive, which makes this the state’s most fascinating game of the yr.

• • •

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