Strength of schedule is going to likely be a key variable in the College Football Playoff equation starting this season, and conferences and schools are all taking that into consideration. That includes Florida head coach Will Muschamp, who said during the SEC meetings in Destin, Florida Tuesday the Gators may be looking to avoid games against FCS opponents in the coming years.
There is no scheduling policy in the SEC against scheduling FCS opponents, but it is a practice that some schools may look to avoid doing in order to boost strength of schedule for the individual program, but doing so would also boost the conference’s overall strength of schedule as well. That is part of the reason is mandating every school in the SEC to schedule one opponent from anther power conference. Florida meets that requirement with annual games against Florida State.Will Muschamp says “We’re probably going to move forward without playing FCS opponents,” but said up to each SEC school to decide.
— George Schroeder (@GeorgeSchroeder) May 27, 2014
Will Muschamp on not scheduling any more FCS teams: “The fan base wants to see better opponents”
— Brett McMurphy (@McMurphyESPN) May 27, 2014
Muschamp’s quote is an interesting one considering how last season played out for the Gators. A dismal season hit a low point toward the end of the season when Florida was defeated at home by Georgia Southern, a program from the FCS that is making the move up to FBS in 2014. Muschamp also suggested he would be open to considering a neutral-site game against Miami, which has been an idea floating around recently.
Florida has one FCS opponent scheduled in upcoming years at the moment. The Gators will host Eastern Kentucky on November 22, a week before traveling to Tallahassee for the annual rivalry game against Florida State.