Billy Napier Vows Florida-Florida State Rivalry Will Endure Amid Schedule Shifts
Head coach Billy Napier confirms the continuation of the Florida-Florida State rivalry amid SEC's new nine-game schedule starting in 2026.
Billy Napier Vows Florida-Florida State Rivalry Will Endure Amid Schedule Shifts
In an exciting declaration for college football fans, Florida Gators‘ head coach Billy Napier confirmed that the storied rivalry with the Florida State Seminoles will continue, despite upcoming changes to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) schedule. As the SEC gears up to roll out a nine-game conference schedule starting in 2026, many are left wondering how this shift will impact time-honored traditions and rivalries across college football. Napier, however, has made it clear where he stands.
According to SI.com, Napier emphasized the historical weight of the Florida-Florida State matchup, asserting that „that’s a historical game, that’s not going away.“ His comments come amid discussions surrounding what the SEC’s increased focus on in-conference play means for out-of-conference rivalries, particularly those that have lasted nearly 70 years.
The Impact of the SEC’s New Structure
The change to a nine-game schedule marks the end of a 30-year tradition of an eight-game in-conference schedule within the SEC. With institutions like Texas and Oklahoma entering the mix, Saturday Down South points out that there are growing concerns about how fewer out-of-conference matchups could threaten iconic rivalries. However, the Florida-Florida State rivalry meets the SEC’s new requirement of having at least one Power 4 opponent (or Notre Dame) in each team’s three-game non-conference schedule.
Beyond protecting this heated matchup, Napier’s assurances come at a time when the SEC is committed to preserving traditional rivalries even as they introduce new ones. The SEC plans to eliminate divisions, allowing teams to face every opponent at least once every two years, and home and away every four years, as detailed by USA Today.
The SEC’s new format will assign three annual opponents for each team, although the specific rival matchups for each school are yet to be announced. For instance, the Gators are expected to keep their long-standing rivalry with Georgia at their neutral site, a tradition that may remain intact at least until 2031. As for who else Florida will face annually, fans will have to wait for official announcements.
As the SEC expands its revenue-sharing strategies, Napier highlights the importance of maintaining competitive rivalries to enhance overall excitement in college football. With increased demands for revenue, it’s clear that keeping traditional rivalries like Florida vs. Florida State is taken seriously, both on the field and off.
The Gators are set to kick off their 2025 season against Long Island, showcasing their football prowess at home on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET, with fans able to catch the game streaming on SEC Network+. For those who treasure these Thanksgiving-weekend matchups, rest assured: the fierce competition between the Gators and the Seminoles is here to stay.