GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Gators announced Friday a home-and-home series against Utah. The Utes visit Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in 2022 and Florida makes the trip to Utah in 2023.
Future awaits...
🐊 - 2022 in Gainesville
✈️ - 2023 in Salt Lake City
It's the kind of matchup that fans and media instantly put their stamps of approval on.
"I know for our fans, it is fun to play some bigger games, and in the future, that's something we're going to look at, trying to play some more Power 5 games,'' Mullen said this week prior to Friday's announcement.
The reason scheduling was a topic this week is that for the second time in three home games, the Gators are facing a FCS-classified team. Of course, some critics have suggested that Saturday's home game against Towson is the third consecutive FCS opponent to visit "The Swamp." However, sources confirmed that Tennessee remains a member of the Southeastern Conference despite the Vols' shaky start.
No. 9 Florida (4-0) has seventh-ranked Auburn coming to town next week, but first, Towson (3-1) will try to give the Gators a game. Mullen addressed the difficulties that can exist when scheduling.
"You know, people aren't jumping up and down to play us," he said. "We're calling Power 5 teams, trying to get more games, and it's not like everybody we call can't wait to come play Florida. That's not always an easy deal."
The good news is that in recent months, the Gators have announced several home-and-home series in future seasons. Besides Utah, the Gators have series set up with Miami, Colorado and Texas. The Gators also have three games scheduled against USF.
For now, they are preparing to face the underdog Tigers. Then, it's time for those Tigers with bigger teeth.
For more on the Florida-Towson game, here is this week's edition of The Opening Kickoff: THREE QUESTIONS WITH … GATORS QB KYLE TRASK
Q:When Emory Jones comes into the game, how does that compare to when you are playing?
A: It's great having both of our skill-sets at the quarterback position because it kinds of keeps the defense on their heels because they don't really know what to expect. We both have our different skill-sets.
Kyle Trask threw for 293 yards in his first career start in last week's 34-3 victory over Tennessee. (Photo: Courtney Culbreath/UAA Communications)
Q:Would you be comfortable if a game plan called for you to carry more of the burden in the passing game?
A: Oh, absolutely. It just goes back to Coach Mullen and his staff. They are really good at preparing whoever for whatever moment that presents itself.
Q:What are your thoughts on the run game and some of the struggles there?
A: It just comes back to communication. We always have to be on the same page, making sure we're all going to the right person and things like that. THREE STORYLINES
The Gators seek a sharp performance against what should be an overmatched Towson team. This is Florida's final tuneup before hosting Auburn on Homecoming next week. With a victory, the Gators can win for the ninth consecutive time, something they have not done since a school-record 22-game win streak over the 2008-09 seasons.
HBO Sports has been in town all week covering the Gators as they prep for this matchup. The network concludes its stay with coverage of Saturday's game, and then on Wednesday, releases the debut episode of "24/7 College Football," a new series that provides viewers an all-access pass. Whether you watch from the stands or your couch, you can relive Saturday's game on HBO.
Towson has played one SEC opponent in its history, losing 38-22 at No. 3 LSU in 2012. The Tigers' lone win against an FBS opponent came in 2013 at Connecticut.
THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sophomore TE Kyle Pitts has eight catches for 125 yards in the past two games, both SEC wins. Pitts has emerged as Florida's most talented pass catcher at tight end since Jordan Reed and should be a mismatch for Towson's defense.
Towson QB Tom Flacco threw for 304 yards and a TD and ran for 110 yards and score in last week's loss to Villanova. Flacco has passed for 200-plus yards in 14 of his 16 career games and is also a dangerous runner for UF's defense to contain.
Gators freshman LB Khris Bogle has received more playing time with senior DE Jabari Zuniga slowed. Bogle has six tackles and 1.5 sacks in four games and in the victory over Tennessee finished with 1.5 tackles for loss.
THREE DIGITS
50-7 –Scoring advantage for Gators in the fourth quarter through the season's first four games. 6 – Gators with 100 or more yards in receptions after four games. 83.3 –Success rate for Florida's defense in stopping opponents on third and fourth down in the fourth quarter (15 stops in 18 attempts). INJURY REPORT
The name immediately jumps out. Flacco. Yes, Towson QB Tom Flacco is the younger brother of longtime NFL QB Joe Flacco.
In fact, the Flacco brothers were big news in Baltimore a season ago when Tom took over for Towson and Joe still played for the Ravens.
Here is a closer look at Flacco and his connection to his more famous older brother:
BOTTOM LINE
The Gators are heavy favorites to take care of FCS-classified Towson in the same fashion as they handled UT Martin three weeks ago. They have ample motivation with No. 7-ranked Auburn visiting "The Swamp" next week in the biggest home game of the season. Flacco is talented and the Tigers are likely to make some plays against Florida's high-risk, high-reward defense. Still, if the Gators are the kind of team they want to be, they should put away Towson early and get their young players some playing time.
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