Florida A&M is changing conferences and also elevating its football schedule in the process.
FAMU announced Thursday that it is adding several Power 5 and Group of Five schools to its future state over the next seven seasons that include the likes of Miami, Florida, Georgia, South Florida and North Carolina.
“This schedule of opponents falls in line with my scheduling philosophy as Vice President and Director of Athletics. We want to provide our student-athletes and fans with an opportunity to see our teams compete against the best in the country. We also want to make sure that we are providing much-needed financial support to the program while putting our student-athletes in the best possible position to be successful,” FAMU Vice President and Director of Athletic Kortne Gosha said in a statement. “These games are very important to our success as a department, and we are fortunate to be in a position to work with colleagues at these institutions to schedule these games and we look forward to competing at a high level for many years to come.”
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The new member of the SWAC will also play games against Division II HBCU opponents, including Fort Valley State and Albany State in addition to maintaining a matchup with MEAC rival South Carolina State.
The Rattlers, who opted out of the spring 2021 season, will play its first game in the fall versus Jackson State in the Orange Blossom Classic on Sept. 5.
Florida A&M future football schedule
2021
Sept. 11 Fort Valley State University
Sept. 18 University of South Florida
Oct. 9 South Carolina State University
2022
Aug. 27 University of North Carolina
Sept. 10 Albany State University
Oct. 8 South Carolina State University
2023
Sept. 9 University of South Florida
Oct. 7 South Carolina State University
2024
Aug. 31 Troy University
Sept. 7 University of Miami
2025
Aug. 30 University of South Alabama
Oct. 11 University of Florida
2026
Sept. 10 University of Miami
2027
Sept. 2 University of Alabama-Birmingham
Sept. 18 University of South Florida
2028
Sept. 9 University of Georgia