After years of clamoring for a chance to play the state’s flagship program, the UCF Knights will finally get their chance. UF and UCF announced a three-game series that starts in 2024.
The Gators will host the Knights in 2024 and 2033, while the teams will play in Orlando in 2030.
The schools have only played twice before, both blowout wins by the Gators. Florida won 58-27 in 1999 and 42-0 in 2006. Both of those games were in the Swamp.
UCF is considered one of the top Group of Five programs in the country, and they famously declared themselves the 2017 national champions after going undefeated and beating Auburn in the Peach Bowl.
Weak schedules have prevented the Knights from being a playoff contender, but they reportedly turned down a 2-for-1 offer from UF under former athletic director Danny White.
UF athletic director Scott Stricklin was finally able to reach a deal with new UCF athletic director Terry Mohajir.
This matchup seemed inevitable for a while. The Knights are desperate to prove that they belong in the discussion as one of the top programs in college football, while the Gators want to put their little brother back in their place.
In a few years, it will become a reality.