Florida Teams Kick Off College Football Season with Exciting Matchups!

Florida Teams Kick Off College Football Season with Exciting Matchups!

As the sun sets over Florida, the excitement of the college football season is palpable. With the first full weekend of games upon us, local teams are eager to carve their names into the history books. Florida Politics reports that Thursday night kicked things off with impressive victories: USF triumphed over No. 25 Boise State with a score of 34-7, while UCF edged past Jacksonville State, winning 17-10. With such a strong start, fans are now buzzing with anticipation for the big matchups ahead.

Among the highlights for Saturday, Florida State is set to clash with Alabama at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Last season was tough for the Seminoles, ending with a disappointing 2-10 record. This year, they have something to prove, especially with new coordinators Gus Malzahn and Tony White at the helm. They’ve also brought in quarterback Tommy Castellanos from Boston College, hoping he can spark a turnaround. On the other side, Alabama is introducing Ty Simpson as their new quarterback, though he lacks extensive game experience. The game will take place at the newly renovated Doak Campbell Stadium, which has decreased in capacity to 67,277.

Weekend Showdowns

Meanwhile, Florida’s other teams are also gearing up for competition. The Gators will face Long Island at 7 p.m. ET on SECN+, aiming to improve upon their 8-5 record from last season. With quarterback DJ Lagway at the forefront, Florida enters as No. 15 in the AP poll. Their offensive line boasts standout players like left tackle Austin Barber and center Jake Slaughter, both contenders for the Outland Trophy. This matchup will mark the first-ever meeting between Florida and LIU in football.

As for Miami, they’re looking to maintain their solid stature as they meet Notre Dame on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Ranked No. 10 in the AP poll, Miami is keen to defend their home turf against the Fighting Irish, who come in at No. 6 after a strong national championship run last season. With former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck steering the offense, the Hurricanes hope to extend their home winning streak against Notre Dame, which dates back to 1977—even if the all-time series sees Notre Dame leading with 18 wins against Miami’s 8, plus a tie.

Additional Florida Matchups

In addition to the high-profile games, other Florida schools are also making headlines this weekend. FAU is set to take on Maryland at noon ET on the Big Ten Network. Interestingly, FAU will be led by their new head coach, Zach Kittley, who is the youngest in Division I at just 34 years old. This matchup marks the first time FAU and Maryland have met on the gridiron.

Another exciting battle occurs on Friday night as Bethune-Cookman faces FIU. Scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+, this marks the fifth meeting between the two programs, with FIU still seeking their first win in this rivalry. Adding to the intrigue, Bethune-Cookman will be on the road for three consecutive games to launch their season.

Lastly, on Saturday, the Orange Blossom Classic at Hard Rock Stadium will showcase Howard versus Florida A&M at 4 p.m. ET on ESPNU. As two historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), both teams are looking to make their mark this early in the season, with FAMU coming off a 7-5 season and Howard finishing at 4-8.

As Florida teams kick off the college football season, the thrilling matchups and the stories behind them remind us just how spirited the game can be. Fans and players alike are eager to see how these seasons unfold, with many hoping for success on and off the field.

For those considering higher education options, there is another field buzzing with activity: Auburn University’s early application season. Discussions among applicants for the class of 2030 are lively, particularly about grading systems and housing opportunities. Notably, a generous donation from an Auburn alumnus is earmarked for engineering scholarships, boosting the academic prospects for incoming students. Fans eager to dive deeper into Auburn’s community can find more information on the College Confidential thread dedicated to early action applicants for Fall 2025.