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Florida add multiple games to schedule, including in-state opponent who has given Gators trouble

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Tyler Forness | Last updated May 10, 2025 1:55 PM ET

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier has made some additions to the schedule. According to fbschedules.com, the Gators have added Florida Atlantic to the 2026 schedule. In addition, they have also added South Alabama and Charleston Southern to the schedule for 2027.

What's really interesting with adding these matchups is the possibility of the SEC moving to a nine-game conference schedule. If the Gators have to cancel against South Alabama due to the schedule change, it would be just a $250,000 buyout instead of the $1.2 million they are set to pay them for the game.

Florida Gators add three games to schedule

The additions to the schedule won't move the needle from a strength of schedule perspective, but it does give the Gators another non-conference opponent to pair with Florida State. The Gators also have Charleston Southern coming in to play during 2026.

In program history, they have played Florida Atlantic four times previously with first matchup in 2007 and the latest in 2021 with a 35-14 win. The Owls historically haven't been a cakewalk for the Gators, as they needed overtime in 2015 to beat them 20-14.

The other two matchups for the Gators have occurred even less than than. Charleston Southern has come to The Swamp on two occasions with massive wins in 2009 and 2018. Being an FCS opponent, it's no surprise that the Gators wins were by 59 and 47 points.

Surprisingly enough, South Alabama has never played the Gators. The Jaguars come from the Sun Belt and have seen a lot of success over the last decade. It will be a higher end opponent from the Group of Five ranks for the Gators.

Things could change as mentioned above if the SEC ends up adding that ninth conference game.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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