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Florida football: An interesting non-conference slate for 2020

By Matthew Clark

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 17: Emory Jones #5 of the Florida Gators throws the football to Kadarius Toney #4 in the second half of their game against the Idaho Vandals at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 17: Emory Jones #5 of the Florida Gators throws the football to Kadarius Toney #4 in the second half of their game against the Idaho Vandals at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /
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I get the fact that, unless you are in a huge conference (size-wise), non-conference football games are necessary. But, Florida football has an interesting non-conference schedule lined up for 2020.

Eagles. Jaguars. Aggies.

Normally, these mascots would ring fear into many a college and pro football enthusiast.

Whether it be the Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars, Texas A&M Aggies or what-have-you, seeing these teams on your football schedule might be cause for worry — okay, with the exception of Jacksonville, but I had to connect the lead somehow.

In 2020, it isn’t likely these mascots will instill any fear in the hearts and minds of Florida football fans.

The Gators released the 2020 college football schedule and it has the old favorites: Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, etc.

It also contains the likes of … are you ready: Eastern Washington, South Alabama and New Mexico State.

The only team missing from the list is St. Mary’s School of the Blind.

I kid, kind of.

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Eastern Washington is a good team … in the Football Championship Subdivision. They finished last season 12-3 and went deep into the playoffs (losing 38-24 to FCS powerhouse North Dakota State). Oh, they also have the only field in the nation with red field turf. Seriously, look it up.

The South Alabama Jaguars went a paltry 3-9 last season and 2-6 in the Sun Belt Conference. The big line here is, in 2009 and 2010, the Jags went 17-0. Since then: 6-4, 2-11, 6-6, 6-7, 5-7, 6-7, 4-8 and 3-9. Basically, only one winning season since 2010.

Then, you have New Mexico State. Last season, the Aggies won just three games. They were thumped 42-25 by in-state rival New Mexico and 60-13 by Utah State. They did drop a 61-13 thriller to Florida football back in 2015. Their signature win in the last eight seasons: A 28-21 upset of Minnesota in Minneapolis in 2011. Yup, 2011.

Something interesting on the 2020 schedule for the Gators is a rematch with Ole Miss. Florida football hasn’t played Mississippi since 2007. The Gators also get a nice bye week before the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party in Jacksonville against Georgia.

The only other real surprise is the Gators will actually close out the regular season with two non-conference games. They host New Mexico State on Nov. 21 and travel to Tallahassee to face Florida State the following week.

2020 Florida Football Schedule

  • Sept. 5 – vs. Eastern Washington (Gainesville, Fla.)
  • Sept. 12 – vs. Kentucky (Gainesville, Fla.)
  • Sept. 19 – vs. South Alabama (Gainesville, Fla.)
  • Sept. 26 – at Tennessee (Knoxville, Tenn.)
  • Oct. 3 – vs. South Carolina (Gainesville, Fla.)
  • Oct. 10 – vs. LSU (Gainesville, Fla.)
  • Oct. 17 – at Ole Miss (Oxford, Miss.)
  • Oct. 24 – Bye week
  • Oct. 31 – vs. Georgia (Jacksonville, Fla.)
  • Nov. 7 – at Vanderbilt (Nashville, Tenn.)
  • Nov. 14 – vs.  Missouri (Gainesville, Fla.)
  • Nov. 21 – vs. New Mexico State (Gainesville, Fla.)
  • Nov. 28 – at Florida State (Tallahassee, Fla.)
  • Dec. 5 – SEC Championship (Atlanta, Ga.)

Next. Florida football: Why should I care about Central Florida. dark

All-in-all, it is a pretty weak non-conference schedule for Florida football, but hey, at least we get seven games at home!

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