Florida announces 2017 schedule, headlined by showdown with Michigan
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The game has been on the 2017 schedule for nearly three years now, officially announced in December 2013.
Still, the Florida-Michigan matchup in the 2017 Advocare Classic at AT&T Stadium (Sept. 2) highlights Florida's schedule next season, which was released Tuesday night in conjunction with the Southeastern Conference.
Since the neutral-site game was announced, anticipation has been high for the first regular-season meeting between the schools. And much has changed. Gators coach Jim McElwain and Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh had other jobs when this contest at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, was finalized.
"This is a great opportunity to expose the University of Florida nationally and, playing one of the greatest programs in the history of college football, I think a tremendous trip for our fans,'' UF Athletic Director Jeremy Foley said when the game was announced. "We just haven't done much of this, certainly as long as I've been athletic director. I think there are a lot of positives that come out of it."
Coincidentally, a year ago in their first seasons, McElwain and Harbaugh faced off in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl and the Wolverines won, 41-7, improving to 3-0 all-time against the Gators (all bowl games).
Florida gets a chance at redemption in less than 12 months.
Following the Michigan game, the Gators face Northern Colorado in the home opener Sept. 9. The Bears, coached by Earnest Collins Jr., are members of the Big Sky Conference. It will be the first meeting between the schools.
The Gators then jump into the SEC schedule with eight consecutive games against conference opponents starting at home against Tennessee on Sept. 16. The Gators play at Kentucky on Sept. 23, host Vanderbilt on Sept. 30, and then travel to LSU on Oct. 7.
Florida returns home Oct. 14 to host Texas A&M in the Aggies' first trip to Gainesville in 55 years. The game will be the fourth all-time meeting between the schools and second since the Aggies joined the SEC in 2012. Florida won 20-17 in College Station four years ago.
The Gators are off the following week before their annual showdown with Georgia in Jacksonville on Oct. 28, followed by road games at Missouri (Nov. 4) and South Carolina (Nov. 11).
The Gators close the regular season with a pair of nonconference games, the first against UAB on Nov. 18 at the Swamp. UAB is restarting its football program in 2017 after becoming the first FBS school to disband its program since 1995 two years ago.
Finally, Florida closes the regular season at home against in-state rival Florida State on Nov. 25.
