Florida Football gets surprising timeslot as kickoff time against FSU announced
![Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) comes up the fumble during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 16, 2024. The Gators defeated the Tigers 27-16. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4360,h_2452,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2F213%2F01jd0cvfachctfg4z7m4.jpg "Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) comes up the fumble during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 16, 2024. The Gators defeated the Tigers 27-16. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]")
As the 2024 campaign progressed for both Florida Football and FSU, one of the running gags by fans was ridiculous timeslot predictions for when the annual game between the two would be played. Things like playing this game at 9 AM on Tubi sounded great so no one from around the country would be forced to watch two programs with a combined six wins in 2024.
But as an annual reminder that the logo still carries weight and that Florida does have intriguing star power that can be sold to the nation at large, Florida announced today the kickoff time for the FSU game, and it is not what people expected.
Florida Football: Under the lights
The game this year is in Tallahassee and will be on ESPN 2. It was announced today that the 11/30 matchup would kick off at either 7:00 or 7:30 PM.
Our game against FSU will be at either 7 or 7:30 and will be on ESPN2. 🐊 pic.twitter.com/AzOaJ99IzY
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) November 18, 2024
This will be the third straight year this game has been given primetime billing. It is a bit surprising ESPN didn't opt to flip the South Carolina vs. Clemson matchup from a noon kickoff to the primetime kickoff, but Florida vs FSU will also be going head to head with Texas vs Texas A&M, a renewal of a rivalry that had taken a backseat over the past decade that will have massive implications on who makes it to the SEC title game.
📺 #SECFB on TV: Nov. 29-30
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) November 18, 2024
Updates: https://t.co/X0GZKMiJAH pic.twitter.com/YPkSNAUHUl
In reality, ESPN didn't want to stack two of their "better" games against each other. But having Lagway in the picture still gives viewers a reason to either flip over or to include Florida vs FSU in their quad box.
Whatever the reason, Florida fans will get one last primetime game to close out the season. If the Gators fall to Ole Miss this week, Florida will need the win over 1-8 FSU in order to make a bowl game.
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