The Florida Gators and the Arizona State Sun Devils have scheduled a home-and-home football series for 2028 and 2031, both schools announced on Tuesday.
News of the future football series was first reported last week by OnlyGators.com.
In the first game of the series, Florida will travel to take on Arizona State at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz., on September 16, 2028. The series will conclude three seasons later at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., on either September 6 or September 13, 2031.
Barring a matchup in a bowl game in the next nine seasons, the 2028 meeting between Florida and Arizona State will mark their first-ever meeting on the gridiron.
Florida now has future matchups scheduled against six members of Power Five conferences. The Gators play in-state rival Florida State every season, and are also slated to play Utah (home in 2022, away in 2023), Miami FL (home in 2024, away in 2025), Colorado (home in 2028, away in 2029), Arizona State (away in 2028, home in 2031), and Texas (home in 2030, away in 2031).
“This agreement with the University of Florida provides our fan base with yet another elite series with a Power 5 opponent,” said Arizona State Vice President for University Athletics Ray Anderson. “The addition of Florida complements our future schedules, which already include series with LSU, Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Mississippi State and BYU. We are proud of our future football schedules and of the fact that we can produce quality and interesting matchups for our fan base to enjoy.”
Florida is also the sixth Power opponent scheduled for Arizona State. In addition to the Gators, the Sun Devils are scheduled to take on Oklahoma State (away in 2022, home in 2023), Mississippi State (home in 2024, away in 2025), Texas A&M (away in 2026, home in 2027), LSU (away in 2029, home in 2030), and Texas (home in 2032, away in 2033).
Arizona State is also scheduled to play a home-and-home series with the BYU Cougars in 2020 and 2021. The Cougars are considered a Power Five school for scheduling purposes by the Big 12, SEC, and others.
Football Schedules
That’ll be three Power 5 non-conference games (Colorado, Arizona State, FSU) in 2028. That’s a bold move!
2031 as well
So in 2028 & 2031 Florida plans to play 3 games against non conference power 5 teams….that’s interesting
This is tremendous!
Currently showing 3 P5 opponents in 2028 and 2031, but only one each in 2026 and 2027. I expect some cancellations or some to be rescheduled.
As a Gators fan, it’s about time they’re doing home and home series out of state. It’s always been in Gainesville or a neutral site somewhere in Florida when it comes to the OCC. It’s been a knock against them for the longest and frankly there’s no argument to provide but these future series are a step in the right direction, barring they don’t get cancelled or rescheduled.
Way to go Florida! I love scheduling up to three Non Conference Power 5 teams. Arizona St good job to you as well.