The Florida Gators will play the Colorado State Rams once between the 2017 and 2020 season, UF officially announced today.
The game is part of the buyout contract for new UF head football coach Jim McElwain, who comes to the Gators after three seasons as the head coach at Colorado State.
In finalizing the deal, the University Athletic Association and Colorado State have agreed to a payment of $3 million over six years. Florida and Colorado State will also play a game in Gainesville between 2017-20 with a $2 million guarantee. McElwain has agreed to a $2 million payment over time to Colorado State.
Yes, you read that right. Florida will pay Colorado State a $2 million guarantee for a future football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville. That is likely the most ever paid for a non-conference football game, although the agreement is tied to McElwain’s buyout.
Florida currently has only two non-conference games scheduled between 2017 and 2020, and both are in 2017. The Gators open the 2017 season against Michigan in Arlington, Texas and also host Idaho.
UF also has games scheduled annually against their in-state rival Florida State.
Colorado State also plays an annual rival — Colorado. The 2017-19 games are set for Denver, while the 2020 contest will be played in Boulder.
The Rams are also scheduled to visit Alabama in 2017 and host UTEP in 2018.
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