The 2023 Florida Gators football season promises to be an exciting one, with the team looking to build on its success from recent years and compete for a Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship. Led by head coach Billy Napier, the Gators have a challenging schedule ahead of them, with a mix of tough conference opponents and non-conference foes.
The season kicks off on September 2nd at home against the Eastern Washington Eagles, a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) team. This game will serve as a warm-up for the Gators before they dive into their SEC schedule.
From there, the Gators will face a gauntlet of tough SEC opponents, including the Tennessee Volunteers, Kentucky Wildcats, and Georgia Bulldogs. These games will test the mettle of the Gators and determine their place in the conference standings.
florida gators schedule 2023
The 2023 Florida Gators football schedule features a challenging mix of SEC opponents and non-conference foes. Here are seven important points to note:
- Season opener: Eastern Washington Eagles (September 2nd)
- SEC East foes: Tennessee Volunteers, Kentucky Wildcats, Georgia Bulldogs
- SEC West opponents: Alabama Crimson Tide, LSU Tigers, Mississippi State Bulldogs
- Non-conference games: Utah Utes, Florida State Seminoles
- Homecoming: Missouri Tigers (October 14th)
- Rivalry game: Florida State Seminoles (November 25th)
- Regular season finale: Vanderbilt Commodores (November 25th)
The Gators will need to navigate a tough schedule if they want to compete for an SEC championship in 2023.
Season opener: Eastern Washington Eagles (September 2nd)
The Florida Gators will kick off their 2023 season on September 2nd at home against the Eastern Washington Eagles, a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) team from Cheney, Washington. The Eagles are coming off a successful 2022 season, where they finished with a 10-3 record and won the Big Sky Conference championship.
Eastern Washington is known for its high-powered passing attack, led by quarterback Eric Barriere. Barriere is one of the most prolific passers in FCS history, and he will be a challenge for the Gators' defense. The Eagles also have a talented group of receivers, led by Talolo Limu-Jones and Freddie Roberson.
The Gators' defense will need to be ready for a challenge against Eastern Washington. The Eagles are averaging over 300 passing yards per game, and they have a number of playmakers who can make big plays. The Gators' secondary will need to be especially sharp in order to slow down Barriere and his receivers.
The season opener against Eastern Washington will be a good test for the Gators. It will give them a chance to work out any kinks before they start their SEC schedule. The Gators should be able to win this game, but they will need to be prepared for a tough challenge.
The game will be played at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM Eastern Time.
SEC East foes: Tennessee Volunteers, Kentucky Wildcats, Georgia Bulldogs
The Florida Gators will face three tough SEC East opponents in 2023: the Tennessee Volunteers, Kentucky Wildcats, and Georgia Bulldogs.
- Tennessee Volunteers: The Volunteers are coming off a 10-2 season in 2022, and they are expected to be one of the top teams in the SEC East in 2023. Tennessee has a high-powered offense led by quarterback Hendon Hooker and wide receiver Jalin Hyatt. The Gators will need to be at their best to beat the Volunteers.
The Gators will play Tennessee on September 16th at home, Kentucky on October 7th at home, and Georgia on November 4th on the road.
SEC West opponents: Alabama Crimson Tide, LSU Tigers, Mississippi State Bulldogs
The Florida Gators will also face three tough SEC West opponents in 2023: the Alabama Crimson Tide, LSU Tigers, and Mississippi State Bulldogs.
The Alabama Crimson Tide are the most dominant team in college football, and they are always a challenge for any opponent. Alabama has a talented roster led by quarterback Bryce Young and running back Jahmyr Gibbs. The Gators will need to play their best game of the season if they want to beat the Crimson Tide.
The LSU Tigers are another tough opponent for the Gators. LSU has a high-powered offense led by quarterback Jayden Daniels and wide receiver Kayshon Boutte. The Gators will need to be able to generate pressure on Daniels and force him into mistakes if they want to win this game.
The Mississippi State Bulldogs are a rising team in the SEC West. They finished with a 8-4 record in 2022, and they return a number of key players, including quarterback Will Rogers and running back Dillon Johnson. The Gators will need to be careful not to overlook the Bulldogs.
Overall, the Gators have a tough road ahead of them in the SEC West in 2023. They will need to be at their best if they want to compete for the SEC championship.
The Gators will play Alabama on September 30th on the road, LSU on October 21st at home, and Mississippi State on November 11th at home.
Non-conference games: Utah Utes, Florida State Seminoles
The Florida Gators will also play two non-conference games in 2023: against the Utah Utes and the Florida State Seminoles.
The Utah Utes are coming off a 10-4 season in 2022, and they are expected to be a tough opponent for the Gators. Utah has a strong defense led by linebacker Mohamoud Diabate and cornerback Clark Phillips III. The Gators will need to be able to move the ball against Utah's defense if they want to win this game.
The Florida State Seminoles are a traditional rival of the Gators, and this game is always a big one. Florida State is coming off a disappointing 5-7 season in 2022, but they have a new head coach in Mike Norvell and a talented roster. The Gators will need to be ready for a challenge when they travel to Tallahassee to take on the Seminoles.
Overall, the Gators have two tough non-conference games in 2023. They will need to be at their best if they want to win both of these games.
The Gators will play Utah on September 9th at home and Florida State on November 25th on the road.
Homecoming: Missouri Tigers (October 14th)
The Florida Gators will host the Missouri Tigers for their homecoming game on October 14th, 2023.
The Missouri Tigers are coming off a 6-7 season in 2022, but they have a new head coach in Eli Drinkwitz and a talented roster. Missouri has a strong offense led by quarterback Brady Cook and running back Nathaniel Peat. The Gators will need to be able to generate pressure on Cook and force him into mistakes if they want to win this game.
The homecoming game is always a special event at Florida, and the Gators will be looking to put on a show for their fans. The game will also be a key SEC East matchup, as both teams will be looking to improve their conference standings.
Overall, the homecoming game against Missouri is a big one for the Gators. They will need to be at their best if they want to win this game and keep their SEC East title hopes alive.
The game will be played at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 PM Eastern Time.
Rivalry game: Florida State Seminoles (November 25th)
The Florida Gators will travel to Tallahassee to take on the Florida State Seminoles in their annual rivalry game on November 25th, 2023.
The Florida State Seminoles are a traditional rival of the Gators, and this game is always a big one. Florida State is coming off a disappointing 5-7 season in 2022, but they have a new head coach in Mike Norvell and a talented roster. The Seminoles have a strong offense led by quarterback Jordan Travis and running back Trey Benson. The Gators will need to be able to generate pressure on Travis and force him into mistakes if they want to win this game.
The rivalry game against Florida State is always a special event, and both teams will be looking to finish the season on a high note. The game will also have implications for bowl eligibility, as both teams will be looking to improve their records.
Overall, the rivalry game against Florida State is a big one for the Gators. They will need to be at their best if they want to win this game and finish the season with a winning record.
The game will be played at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM Eastern Time.
Regular season finale: Vanderbilt Commodores (November 25th)
The Florida Gators will host the Vanderbilt Commodores in their regular season finale on November 25th, 2023.
The Vanderbilt Commodores are coming off a 5-7 season in 2022, and they are looking to improve under new head coach Clark Lea. Vanderbilt has a young roster, but they have some talented players, including quarterback AJ Swann and running back Ray Davis. The Gators will need to be careful not to overlook the Commodores.
The regular season finale against Vanderbilt is always a special event, as it is the last chance for the Gators to improve their record before bowl season. The game will also be Senior Day, as the Gators will honor their graduating players.
Overall, the regular season finale against Vanderbilt is a big one for the Gators. They will need to be at their best if they want to win this game and finish the season on a high note.
The game will be played at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 PM Eastern Time.
FAQ
Have more questions about the Florida Gators 2023 football schedule? Here are some frequently asked questions and answers:
Question 1: Where can I find the complete Florida Gators 2023 football schedule?
Answer 1: The complete Florida Gators 2023 football schedule can be found on the official Florida Gators athletics website.
Question 2: When is the Florida Gators' first game of the 2023 season?
Answer 2: The Florida Gators' first game of the 2023 season is on September 2nd, 2023, against the Eastern Washington Eagles.
Question 3: When is the Florida Gators' homecoming game in 2023?
Answer 3: The Florida Gators' homecoming game in 2023 is on October 14th, 2023, against the Missouri Tigers.
Question 4: When is the Florida Gators' rivalry game against the Florida State Seminoles in 2023?
Answer 4: The Florida Gators' rivalry game against the Florida State Seminoles in 2023 is on November 25th, 2023.
Question 5: When is the Florida Gators' regular season finale in 2023?
Answer 5: The Florida Gators' regular season finale in 2023 is on November 25th, 2023, against the Vanderbilt Commodores.
Question 6: Where can I buy tickets to Florida Gators football games?
Answer 6: Tickets to Florida Gators football games can be purchased through the official Florida Gators athletics website or through a variety of online ticket marketplaces.
Question 7: What are the best ways to stay up-to-date on the latest Florida Gators football news and scores?
Answer 7: The best ways to stay up-to-date on the latest Florida Gators football news and scores are to follow the team on social media, listen to local sports radio stations, or check the official Florida Gators athletics website.
We hope this FAQ has answered your questions about the Florida Gators 2023 football schedule. If you have any further questions, please contact the Florida Gators athletics department.
For more information about the Florida Gators football team and the 2023 season, please visit the official Florida Gators athletics website.
Tips
Here are a few tips for making the most of your Florida Gators football experience in 2023:
Tip 1: Buy your tickets early. Florida Gators football games are always popular, so it's important to buy your tickets early to ensure you get the best seats.
Tip 2: Arrive at the stadium early. This will give you plenty of time to find your seats, grab a bite to eat, and soak up the atmosphere.
Tip 3: Wear comfortable shoes. You'll be doing a lot of walking, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes that you can stand in for long periods of time.
Tip 4: Stay hydrated. It can get very hot and humid in Gainesville, especially during the summer months. Make sure you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Tip 5: Be respectful of other fans. Florida Gators football games are a great place to let loose and have fun, but it's important to be respectful of other fans, regardless of which team they are cheering for.
We hope these tips help you have a great time at your next Florida Gators football game!
For more information about the Florida Gators football team and the 2023 season, please visit the official Florida Gators athletics website.
Conclusion
The Florida Gators football team has a challenging schedule in 2023, but they have the talent and experience to compete for an SEC championship. The Gators will need to be at their best in their tough SEC games, but they also have some winnable non-conference games that could help them build momentum.
Overall, the 2023 Florida Gators football season is shaping up to be an exciting one. The Gators have a talented roster and a challenging schedule, so fans can expect plenty of close games and exciting finishes.
We hope this article has given you all the information you need to know about the Florida Gators 2023 football schedule. Be sure to check the official Florida Gators athletics website for the latest news and updates on the team.
Go Gators!