Gators Make a Schedule Change Following 24-Team Playoff Approval, Dropping Notre Dame Series

Florida Ends Notre Dame Series

Florida cancelled the series on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. The games had been scheduled for South Bend in 2031 and Gainesville in 2032. The agreement was signed in 2021 and included an option for Florida to withdraw if the SEC moved from eight conference games to nine. The league adopted a nine-game schedule this season.

Playoff Rules Shape Scheduling

The 24-team playoff was officially announced this week. Its requirements call for Power Four teams to play 10 games against conference opponents, other Power Four nonconference teams or Notre Dame.

Florida already plays nine SEC opponents and Florida State each season, meeting that requirement. The cancellation follows earlier Florida decisions to end home-and-home series with Arizona State, California and N.C. State.

Sumrall Weighs New Format

First-year coach Jon Sumrall said he supports the expanded playoff under the current SEC schedule. He said a 9-3 record in the conference has taken on greater significance because of the league’s weekly competition and physical toll.

The playoff is also expected to eliminate conference title games, with this season set to feature the final SEC Championship Game. Sumrall said teams may reconsider when they schedule nonconference games and whether to play a late-season FCS opponent to rest starters.