Florida football faces another gauntlet, as its 2025 schedule includes six teams projected in USA Today's way too early Top 25.

The schedule, though, is softer in one aspect. Unlike the prior three seasons under head coach Billy Napier, the Florida Gators won't play a power conference opponent to start the season. After opening the 2022 and 2023 seasons with Utah and the 2024 season with Miami, Florida starts 2025 play against Long Island University and won't see a power four conference school until its SEC opener in week three at LSU.

That should give UF time to clean up some mistakes and develop some confidence before the schedule strengthens in SEC play.

Florida enters the 2025 season on a high note. Florida closed the 2024 season with four straight wins to post an 8-5 record and its first winning campaign since 2020. UF returns eight starters on offense, including quarterback DJ Lagway, who went 6-1 as a starter last season. On defense, UF brings back seven starters.

Florida football at LSU, Sept. 13

UF's SEC opener will come after facing Long Island and USF at The Swamp and will pit two of the top quarterbacks in the SEC ― Lagway against LSU senior Garrett Nussmeier — against each other.

Florida won the last meeting between the two schools, 27-16, at The Swamp last Nov. 16. But UF's last trip to Death Valley didn't end well, as Jayden Daniels-led LSU poured it on in a 52-35 win over the Gators at Tiger Stadium.

Like Florida, LSU wants to take a significant step forward in year four under Brian Kelly. The Tigers also return running back Caden Durham, wide receiver Aaron Anderson and top linebackers Harold Perkins and Whit Weeks. But LSU also suffered significant losses on the offensive line, losing tackles Will Campbell and Emery Jones to the NFL Draft. LSU attacked the portal to address some weaknesses, including adding Virginia Tech cornerback Mansoor Delane, Kentucky wide receiver/kickoff returner Baron Brown and former UF edge rusher Jack Pyburn.

Florida football at Miami, Sept. 20

Florida is looking to avenge its 41-17 loss to the Hurricanes at The Swamp in its return trip to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

The Gators won't have Cam Ward to contend with but will face another familiar quarterback in Georgia-turned-Miami quarterback Carson Beck, who transferred to UM during the offseason. Beck went 2-0 against UF as a starter with the Bulldogs but was shaky in his last game against the Gators. He threw three interceptions, but also had 309 yards passing and two TDs in UGA's 34-20 win over UF in Jacksonville.

Miami, under fourth-year coach Mario Cristobal, returns junior running back Mark Fletcher and three starters on the offensive line, led by right tackle Francis Mauigoa, a three-year starter. The Hurricanes also added former LSU receiver CJ Daniels from the transfer portal.

The big question mark for Miami remains on defense and whether new coordinator Corey Hetherman, hired away from Minnesota, can improve a unit that surrendered 30 or more points in six games last season.

Florida football vs. Texas, Oct 4

Off a bye week, Florida will host Arch Manning-led Texas as the Longhorns will make their first trip to The Swamp since Dec. 7, 1940.

Texas thumped Florida in Austin last season, beating the Gators 49-17. UF was depleted at the quarterback position, as third-string walk-on quarterback Aidan Warner started and threw two first-half interceptions that led to 14 points for the Longhorns.

The game projects as another marquee quarterback matchup with Manning facing Lagway. Texas returns several key players from a team that reached the College Football Playoff semifinals last season, including wide reiver DeAndre Moore Jr. (7 TD catches in 2024) and edge rusher Trey Moore (5.5 sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss in 2024).

Florida football vs. Georgia, Jacksonville, Nov. 1

Napier is 0-3 against Georgia, arguably UF's most bitter rival. If he can lead UF to a win over the Bulldogs in Jacksonville, it would go a long way in winning over the fanbase.

Overall, Florida has lost four in a row to Georgia and seven of the last eight meetings. The Bulldogs have put a stranglehold on the series since Kirby Smart took over as a coach but appear vulnerable after losing Beck to Miami and more defensive talent to the NFL Draft.

Gunner Stockton takes over as quarterback for UGA. Defensively, the Bulldogs will be led by linebacker CJ Allen, who finished last season with 76 tackles, an interception and four pass breakups.

Florida football vs Tennessee, Nov. 22

After back-to-back road games with Kentucky and Ole Miss, Florida returns home for its final conference game against the Vols.

If all breaks right, this is a game that could have SEC title and CFP implications. Tennessee hasn't won at The Swamp since George W. Bush was President, with its last win in Gainesville coming on Sept. 20, 2003. Casey Clausen, now a high school football coach in Calabasas, Calif., was the starting quarterback.

Florida will look to avenge a 20-17 overtime loss at UT in which UF squandered several scoring chances. Tennessee lost standout running back Dylan Sampson to the NFL Draft and starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava to UCLA after he entered the transfer portal. Head coach Josh Heupel will look to mold new quarterback Joey Aguilar, a transfer from Appalachian State who has thrown for close to 7,000 yards in 24 career starts.

Florida football 2025 schedule