The Florida Gators long awaited blockbuster 2017 season opener against the Michigan Wolverines on September 2 finally has an official kickoff time.
ESPN announced on Thursday that the AdvoCare Classic between the Gators and Wolverines will kickoff their seasons at 3:30 p.m. at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and will air live nationally on ABC. The Florida-Michigan game will precede a matchup between Florida State and Alabama (in Atlanta) at 8 p.m. on ABC.
Florida and Michigan signed a contract to play back in December of 2013. The contract to play the game will pay Florida $6 million dollars, and unlike bowl revenue, this money isn’t shared among the rest of the league, Florida gets to keep it all. Florida
This will be the first ever regular season meeting between the two schools but the fourth meeting overall. Michigan holds a perfect 3-0 record over Florida, including a 41-7 win in their most recent meeting (2016 Citrus Bowl).
The Gators also bring a record to the AdvoCare Classic. Florida has won 27-consecutive season openers, the longest active streak in the country. This game also will mark he first time since 1987 that the Gators haven’t opened their season at home in Gainesville. Florida lost to No. 20 Miami, 31-4, on the road to start the 1987 season, Galen Hall’s fourth season as head coach. Additionally, this will be Florida’s first regular season, non-conference game outside the state of Florida since 1991 (at Syracuse).
Game added to the 2020 schedule
Florida announced Thursday that South Alabama has been added to the schedule in 2020 as a one-time arrangement on September 19, 2020. The Jaguars upset Mississippi State on the road last season before finishing 6-7 (2-6 Sun Belt).