Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The first season opener between Florida and Miami in 32 years has moved up a week from its original date. Instead of Aug. 31, the schools will play in Orlando on Aug. 24 in what is being billed as the Camping World Kickoff.

Since the matchup was announced in April 2016, it's one that Gators and Hurricanes fans have waited on. The UF-UM rivalry was played annually until 1987, and in the 1980s when the Sunshine State's "Big 3" began its ascension to the top of the college football world, served as the season opener for both programs from 1981-85 and again in '87.

Since news first broke eight days ago about a potential change of date for the game, fans have voiced a wide array of opinions. Those who already booked travel plans protested the loudest, an understandable reaction considering the game is less than six months away. Others seemed indifferent as long as the teams showed up to play, and another group liked the idea of both programs having an opportunity to be showcased in what ESPN is calling a "Week 0" matchup in front of a national television audience, a sentiment both athletic directors expressed Thursday as being important in the decision.

Undoubtedly, the game will take center stage in the lead up to the start of the 150th anniversary season of college football.

There's a lot to like about it: A projected sellout crowd at Camping World Stadium. The renewal of one of the sport's historic rivalries for the first time since 2013. The storyline of Gators coach Dan Mullen, coming off a 10-3 season in his first year back at UF, squaring off against first-year Miami coach Manny Diaz, who served as Mullen's defensive coordinator at Mississippi State not once, but twice.

Although it has not been made official, the "ESPN College GameDay" crew will likely be on hand and will have ample material to talk about on the pregame broadcast.
 
Mullen voiced his support for the date change on Thursday.

"We are excited to kick off the celebration of 150 years of college football on Aug. 24 in Orlando," Mullen said in a release. "It will be a great showcase for the university, our program and all of Gator Nation."

For the pitch from ESPN and the College Football 150th Anniversary Organization to become a reality, the NCAA had to give its stamp of approval. Since the game is now a week earlier, both teams will open camp a week earlier, meaning a shorter offseason for the players and staff.

The date change created other irregularities such as:

• Each school will have three bye weeks since the 2019 season already included double byes.
• The Aug. 24 opener is the earliest in each program's history.
• Florida Citrus Sports is working with Orlando tourism officials to help accommodate fans who need to rework their travel reservations.

From a football perspective, perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the date change is the addition of a third open date. How will the Gators react following a summer of anticipation for the much-hyped opener and then having to wait two weeks for the home opener against Tennessee-Martin?

A win will do wonders over that span to keep players and fans excited. A loss comes with an extra week of misery.

Florida's other bye weeks are Oct. 26, the week between a trip to South Carolina and the Georgia game in Jacksonville, and Nov. 23, the week between a road trip to Missouri and the Florida State game at home.

The season now has four distinctive parts: 1) The Camping World Kickoff showcase against Miami that is certain to establish an early tone; 2) A bulky seven-week stretch that includes home games against Tennessee-Martin, Tennessee, Towson and Auburn, and road games at Kentucky, LSU and South Carolina; 3) Following the second bye, the annual clash against Georgia, expected to be key in deciding the SEC East champion, and a home game against Vanderbilt prior to the SEC regular-season finale at Missouri; 4) After the third bye week, the FSU game at home and a potential trip to the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta if all the parts fall into place.

The Gators might want to compartmentalize for what's ahead.

Whatever happens, a season that starts with a Florida-Miami game brings back memories of the days when fictional former UF football star Sonny Crockett roamed the streets of South Florida in his slick suits and convertible on "Miami Vice." Check out YouTube if needed.

The Gators and Hurricanes split those six season openers in the 1980s. In the years they won ('82, '83, '85), the Gators posted a 26-7-2 record overall; in the years they lost ('81, '84, '87), they went 22-12-1.

In fact, since Florida dropped the annual series due to adding an extra SEC game starting in 1992, when the league added Arkansas and South Carolina, the Gators have lost only two season openers: 1989 against Ole Miss and 2017 against Michigan.

Winning the opener is always a plus. Beating Miami adds a cherry on top. In 2019, that cherry would be extra sweet considering the stretch that follows.