- Sep 8, 2014
- 25,456
- 59,497
Good question here. I'm torn on this, but I know Spurrier hated playing the game at the end of the season w/ the potential chance of playing in the SECCG:
https://florida.247sports.com/Bolt/POLL-Should-the-FSU-game-be-played-at-start-of-season-52624692
POLL: Should the FSU game be played at start of season?
Would you be in favor of moving the Florida State game up to the beginning of the schedule?
In two of the next three seasons, Florida will open its season with a marquee opponent at a neutral site. This year, the Gators will kick off against Michigan in Texas, before taking on Miami in Orlando to open the 2019 season.
That got us to thinking. Would you like to see Florida play more of these marquee games to open the season?
Jim McElwain certainly seemed to be in favor of it when he spoke about the Michigan opener this spring.
"It’s something that, obviously the schedules are made well in advance, but that’s something that when I first got to Alabama and just philosophical things talking with coach (Nick Saban)," McElwain said, "He believed in trying to get one of those games early in the year if we could.
"I think that helps in all six phases as far as your ability to get ready to go. In this case I could see, well we’re young too, but just see that energy in those first two phases and spring ball, now we've got to get ready."
The major issue with Florida scheduling marquee games is it makes the schedule brutal. Because of Florida's annual rivalry with Florida State, when UF opts for a major game to open the season, it has two very tough non-conference opponents, as well as its full SEC slate.
One way to combat that?
Moving the Florida State game to the beginning of the schedule. That would allow the rivalry to continue, give the fans something to look forward to each year during the offseason and allow both teams more time to bounce back from a loss in the rivalry.
Under the current setup, a loss in that rivalry game at the end of the year is often fatal if either team is in the playoff hunt.
Would you support moving the Florida State game to the beginning of the season? Vote in the poll below and drop us a line with your thoughts in the comments section.
Poll
When should UF-FSU be played?
Would you be in favor of moving the Florida-Florida State game to the beginning of the season?
Ends on 1/01/01
https://florida.247sports.com/Bolt/POLL-Should-the-FSU-game-be-played-at-start-of-season-52624692
POLL: Should the FSU game be played at start of season?
Would you be in favor of moving the Florida State game up to the beginning of the schedule?
In two of the next three seasons, Florida will open its season with a marquee opponent at a neutral site. This year, the Gators will kick off against Michigan in Texas, before taking on Miami in Orlando to open the 2019 season.
That got us to thinking. Would you like to see Florida play more of these marquee games to open the season?
Jim McElwain certainly seemed to be in favor of it when he spoke about the Michigan opener this spring.
"It’s something that, obviously the schedules are made well in advance, but that’s something that when I first got to Alabama and just philosophical things talking with coach (Nick Saban)," McElwain said, "He believed in trying to get one of those games early in the year if we could.
"I think that helps in all six phases as far as your ability to get ready to go. In this case I could see, well we’re young too, but just see that energy in those first two phases and spring ball, now we've got to get ready."
The major issue with Florida scheduling marquee games is it makes the schedule brutal. Because of Florida's annual rivalry with Florida State, when UF opts for a major game to open the season, it has two very tough non-conference opponents, as well as its full SEC slate.
One way to combat that?
Moving the Florida State game to the beginning of the schedule. That would allow the rivalry to continue, give the fans something to look forward to each year during the offseason and allow both teams more time to bounce back from a loss in the rivalry.
Under the current setup, a loss in that rivalry game at the end of the year is often fatal if either team is in the playoff hunt.
Would you support moving the Florida State game to the beginning of the season? Vote in the poll below and drop us a line with your thoughts in the comments section.
Poll
When should UF-FSU be played?
Would you be in favor of moving the Florida-Florida State game to the beginning of the season?
Ends on 1/01/01
- 521
Yes
percentage39.35 % - 803
No
percentage