The Florida Gators have added two non-conference opponents to their 2027 football schedule, FBSchedules.com has learned.
Florida was previously scheduled to host the South Alabama Jaguars during the 2020 season, but the game was not played due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Gators went on to play a 10-game schedule that season consisting of only SEC opponents.
According to a copy of the contract obtained from the University of Florida via a state public records request, Florida and South Alabama have agreed to a new future contest. The Gators will host the Jaguars at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2027, which will be the season-opener for both schools.
Pert the contract copy, Florida will pay South Alabama a $1.2 million guarantee for playing the contest. The penalty for canceling the game is also $1.2 million, but if the SEC moves to a nine-game conference schedule and Florida cancels the game, the Gators would only owe the Jaguars $250,000, per the contract.
Florida has also added a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) opponent to its 2027 schedule. The Gators will host the Charleston Southern Buccaneers in Gainesville on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2027. Charleston Southern will earn a $500,000 guarantee for its efforts, according to the copy of the contract obtained by FBSchedules.com.
With the addition of games against South Alabama and Charleston Southern, Florida has now three non-conference opponents set for its 2027 schedule. The Gators are slated to close the regular-season at home against the in-state rival Florida State Seminoles on Nov. 27.
Yesterday, we reported that Florida added the Florida Atlantic Owls to its 2026 football schedule. The Gators will pay the Owls a $1.2 million guarantee for the contest.
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Just like I said on my FAU Florida post, I believe they gave up on believing the SEC would go to nine conference games. I think all the rest will soon follow, I would like to see some cancelled matchups from 2020 be revived, such as Nicholls vs LSU, Fresno State and Texas A&M, and Charlotte vs Tennessee.
These games being added are no indication the SEC is staying at an 8 game schedule. Florida still only has three non-conference games in 2026 and 2027, even with these additions. They were supposed to play Cal in those seasons which is why they had open slots.
@Andrew, I can tell that they’re doing this to obviously suggest the SEC to switch to 9 conference games in 2026, but come 2026, and nothing happens with the schedule, they should have these FCS and money hungry G5 teams on speed dial.
To Andrew’s point, cancelling the Cal game and adding FCS opponents could be viewed as a sign that the SEC is moving to nine conference games starting in 2026. With nine Power-4 opponents (really 10 when you add FSU), the logic follows that you would want the other two games to be ‘tune-up’ games.
This being said, you are probably going to look at the 2028 non-conference schedule and say that we have four non-SEC games currently scheduled. True but I would wager that either the Colorado or @Arizona State game gets cancelled (I would lean towards the @Arizona State because why would a home game get cancelled).