Florida and Billy Napier had a tough draw in 2022 against the third-toughest schedule in the nation, according to ESPN’s College Football Power Index. The SEC isn’t getting easier with each passing year, but Florida might not face as tough a schedule in 2023 as it did in the first year of Reconstruction.
The non-conference schedule looks favorable for Florida. Kicking off the season in Utah won’t be easy, especially with the Utes looking for revenge after the Gators won the 2022 season opener, but it’s nothing Florida hasn’t had. not treated before. There are also Charlotte and McNeese State on the program, which serve as USF and Eastern Washington equivalents. Of course, Florida State closes the non-conference slate during Rivalry Week.
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As far as conference play goes, Tennessee gets the September rivalry game to kick things off. The Gators will also host Vanderbilt but face Kentucky, Missouri and South Carolina on the road in 2023. Florida is the home team for the game against Georgia this year, which is to lose a weekend of recruiting if Billy Napier decides not (or is unable to) invite recruits to Jacksonville.
The LSU game is in Baton Rouge this year and Arkansas is the visiting SEC West program this year.
Here’s an overview of each of the matches in order, including the kick-off times that we know. Gators Wire will update this list as the team releases more information.
Sept. 2, TBA at Utah Utes
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
| All time record | 2-0 |
| Home recording | 2-0 |
| Away record | 0-0 |
| Most recent result | 2022; F, 29-26 |
Sept. 9, TBA vs. McNeese State Cowboys
Stephen Lew – USA TODAY Sports
| All time record | 0-0 |
| Home recording | 0-0 |
| Away record | 0-0 |
| Most recent result | This will be the first meeting between the two. |
September 16, TBA vs. Tennessee Volunteers
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
| All time record | 31-21 |
| Home recording | 16-5 |
| Away record | 14-13 |
| Most recent result | 2022; L, 38-33 |
| Note on the game | Florida hasn’t lost to Tennessee at home since 2003. |
Sept. 23, TBA vs. Charlotte 49ers
Jeff Blake – USA TODAY Sports
| All time record | 0-0 |
| Home recording | 0-0 |
| Away record | 0-0 |
| Most recent result | This will be the first meeting between the two. |
Sept. 30, TBA at Kentucky Wildcats
Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
| All time record | 53-20 |
| Home recording | 29-6 |
| Away record | 22-11 |
| Most recent result | 2022; L, 26-16 |
| Note on the game | Florida is playing to avoid a three-game losing streak in the series that hasn’t happened since the 1950s. |
October 7, TBA vs. Vanderbilt Commodores
Christopher Hanewinckel – USA TODAY Sports
| All time record | 43-11-2 |
| Home recording | 23-2-1 |
| Away record | 20-8-1 |
| Most recent result | 2022; L, 31-24 |
| Note on the game | Florida hasn’t lost consecutive games in this series since the 1950s. |
October 14, TBA at South Carolina Gamecocks
Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun
| All time record | 30-10-3 |
| Home recording | 17-2 |
| Away record | 12-8-1 |
| Most recent result | 2022; F, 38-6 |
Oct. 28, TBA vs. Georgia Bulldogs (neutral site)
Bob Self/Florida Times-Union
| All time record | 44-54-2 |
| Home recording | 1-1 |
| Away record | 1-4 |
| Most recent result | 2022; L, 42-20 |
| Neutral Site Registration | 42-49-2 |
Nov. 4, TBD vs. Arkansas Razorbacks
Nelson Chenault – USA TODAY Sports
| All time record | 10-2 |
| Home recording | 5-0 |
| Away record | 3-1 |
| Most recent result | 2020; F, 63-35 |
Nov. 11, TBA at Louisiana State Tigers
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
| All time record | 33-33-3 |
| Home recording | 16-15-3 |
| Away record | 17-18 |
| Most recent result | 2022; L, 45-35 |
Nov. 18, TBA at Missouri Tigers
Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images
| All time record | 6-6 |
| Home recording | 4-2 |
| Away record | 2-3 |
| Most recent result | 2022; F, 24-17 |
Nov. 25, TBA vs. Florida State
Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images
| All time record | 37-27 |
| Home recording | 22-12-1 |
| Away record | 14-14-1 |
| Most recent result | 2022; L, 45-38 |
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