Florida football faces 'most brutal' schedule among SEC programs

It is no secret that the Florida football program faces a veritable gauntlet of opponents this season — especially with the addition of the Texas Longhorns (as well as the Oklahoma Sooners). It should come as little surprise that many rank the Gators’ 2024 schedule among the most difficult this fall.

On3’s Andy Staples mentioned the plight of the Orange and Blue on his streaming channel while talking about the Southeastern Conference’s upcoming slate. When addressing the loss of equality among schools that the divisional design offered, he noted that Billy Napier’s team got the shortest end of the stick.

“The most brutal schedule handed out by the SEC, well that goes to the Florida Gators,” Staples begins.

Why Gators’ 2024 schedule is so hard

“Now, Florida does not help itself by having Miami and UCF in addition to its annual game against Florida State on this year’s schedule. But listen to these final four SEC games, listen to this. Georgia in Jacksonville, Texas in Austin, and then you’re back home but you play LSU and Ole Miss,” Staples explained.

“And then after that, because it’s an even-numbered year, the Gators go to Tallahassee where they have to play a Florida State team that won 13 games last year, won the ACC, and is probably going to be really good again this year.”

Is there a lack of parity in SEC scheduling?

“That is a brutal, brutal schedule and proof positive that all SEC schedules, not created equal,” Staples said.

“So if you’re a Texas fan, hey, they’re welcoming you with open arms. If you’re an Oklahoma fan, you’re like, ‘Hey, you could have cut us the same break.’ But at least you’re not a Florida fan, because that schedule is rough.”

Florida’s 2024 season opener

The Florida and Miami open their schedule on Aug. 31 in Gainesville, Florida. Kickoff time is slated for 3:30 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on ABC Sports.

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