Greg McElroy reacts to Florida's 2024 SEC schedule
On Wednesday night, the SEC announced each SEC school’s 2024 conference schedule, including Texas and Oklahoma. However, one team that got a lot of attention was the Florida Gators.
College football analyst Greg McElroy broke down that 2024 schedule for the Florida Gators on his show Always College Football.
“LSU, that has long been a rival,” Greg McElroy began. “I know people both at LSU and at Florida both say if I’m ranking my rivals they’re like fifth.”
“Yeah, but that’s still a rival and there’s been a ton of animosity in that game in recent years. I’m glad to see it protected. Remember, just a few years ago, because a game got moved because of a hurricane, LSU said we’re not going there. You’re going to come to us and you’re going to play under these circumstances and all this other stuff. Man, there was no love lost there in the mid-2010s between LSU and Florida. So, glad to see that game is preserved,” McElroy said.
“They also keep Kentucky on the schedule, which will appease Kentucky fans. Georgia, of course, they’re in Jacksonville. That’s not going anywhere. And Tennessee. It felt like Florida, one of those teams that everybody wanted a piece of, everyone kind of wanted Florida. They also travel to Texas, which is interesting as Texas makes their debut in ’24.”
One frustrating part of the schedule for many Florida fans is that Auburn won’t be on the 2024 schedule. The two schools are relatively close to one another and share a long history. However, they’ve only played one time since the 2012 season.
Despite this, Florida legend Tim Tebow doesn’t mind leaving Auburn off the schedule.
“I was 0-2 against Auburn, so I’m OK not seeing them on the schedule,” Tebow joked. “I think the SEC as a whole did a really good job of creating some new, exciting games, but also keeping the tradition.”
Former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow on the 2024 schedule
Florida’s 2024 schedule seems like it’s going to be incredibly difficult. Along with a tough SEC slate, the Gators also have to play Florida State, Miami, and UCF. That leaves only one non-Power Five opponent all season long.
Despite how challenging this seems, Tim Tebow is excited about the 2024 schedule.
“Listen, I love it because of all the big games. I love it because we get to play for a state championship, which to me, as a Florida boy growing up here, playing high school football as well, it means so much to compete to be a state champion. But then, the rivalries. To still play against Georgia, Tennessee, LSU…The Kentucky game is becoming a big rivalry,” Tebow said.
“So, I love it. Those games, they just mean a little bit more than most others. We still have those in play. I love adding one more game to conference play — Texas, OU, those are going to be great games now, in the SEC. Getting to play Texas for Florida, that’s going to be awesome. I just think there’s better games to watch and I’m super excited about it.”