Florida AD Scott Stricklin takes to Twitter to seek future nonconference football opponents

By Michael Phillips
October 22, 2019

Football

Image Credit: UAA

Florida Gators athletic director Scott Stricklin is pulling out all the stops and leaving no stone left unturned as he tries to build his football program’s future nonconference schedule. On Tuesday, Stricklin took to Twitter with a message that the Gators are seeking additional home-and-home series with Power Five opponents.

Attention ADs from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 or Pac-12 … @GatorsFB is looking to add additional Home-and-Home series against P5 opponents. Let’s connect and schedule quality games the fans want to see! #GoGators
— Scott Stricklin (@ScottStricklin) October 22, 2019

Florida has been on a bit of a tear recently when it comes to nonconference scheduling. Within the past few months, Stricklin has managed to book home-and-home series with Miami, Texas, Utah and Colorado. This after UF and UM met in a neutral-site game in Orlando, Florida, to begin the 2019 season.

Initially, it seems Stricklin’s tactics are already be paying off. Within a matter of hours, Clemson AD Dan Radakovich and Oklahoma AD Joe Castiglione have already responded to Stricklin.

Hey @ScottStricklin …. Call me !Clemson would enjoy a visit to the Swamp and I am sure the Gators would like a visit to the original Death Valley…37-38?? pic.twitter.com/kuXvQ5W0yF
— Dan Radakovich (@ClemsonDRad) October 22, 2019

Ok, so you have my attention…… #Sooners #Gators https://t.co/CpDOjiGKo4 pic.twitter.com/LUdSd5ohc1
— Joe Castiglione (@soonerad) October 23, 2019

So did Longhorns AD Chris Del Conte, though as mentioned, the Gators already have a future home-and-home scheduled between the programs.

We gotcha covered on this one my friend 👇🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽😉 https://t.co/cSTO85Wvej
— Chris Del Conte (@_delconte) October 22, 2019

Scheduling such series have become the trend in recent years as teams are trying to separate themselves in the eyes of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee at the end of each season. It is a high risk/high reward proposition, but it seems the benefits outweigh the potential negatives, particularly if losses come early in the season to quality opponents.

Florida has been open to facing fellow Power Five programs in neutral-site games over the last few years but are now shifting toward home-and-home series under Stricklin.

Scott Stricklin