Florida and Tennessee set game date for 2024, but it’s not when you think

The Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers have set a date for its annual rivalry matchup, but it’s not when you think.

The annual rivalry meeting between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers has a date for the 2024 season, but things are changing from the usual tradition.

The SEC rivals usually play within the first few weeks of the regular season, and the showdown even earned the nickname, “The Third Saturday in September.” Next year, the two foes will match up instead on Oct. 12.

It will be the third-latest date in rivalry history, ever since the meeting in 2001 was pushed back to Dec. 1 due to the 9/11 attacks. The teams also alternatively met on Dec. 5 during the 2020 season due to COVID-19.

The Gators have eight confirmed dates for the 2024 season, including a rematch with the Miami Hurricanes to open the season at home on Saturday, Aug. 31, and an SEC matchup with the Texas A&M Aggies on Sept. 14. The Florida faithful will look forward to an in-state bout when the UCF Knights visit Gainesville for the first time since 2006, when Florida annihilated the Knights, 42-0.

The entirety of the SEC will have its schedule revealed on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET, broadcasting live on ESPN and the SEC Network.

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