Who are the Gators biggest rivals?

[sportprof101]

The Florida Gators may have an obvious rival, but who is the second or third rival? Is there a second or third?

We—the students and professors of the Know Rivalry Project—began answering this question and others related to rivalry in College Football. Please help us expand our results to ensure that the Florida Gators are included by completing our newest survey, which takes about 9 minutes:

Know Rivalry - Research on rivalries

Rivalry data displayed at knowrivalry.com

umassamherst.co1.qualtrics.com

Past results have been featured in media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal and New York Times. You can view those results, links to media coverage, and learn more about us at our KnowRivalry.com website. However, we would prefer you didn't until you completed the survey via the link above.

We use the Qualtrics online survey software for data collection. This academic research has been approved by two US universities' Institutional Review Boards (IRB) and poses no risks to respondents. You'll find more information on the disclosure agreement that is required to start the survey. Thank you for helping us to include the Florida Gators by participating and please share this with any other fans that may also help.

Jonah, Student Researcher, Northern Kentucky University
Dr. Joe Cobbs, Northern Kentucky University
Dr. David Tyler, University of Massachusetts—Amherst

 

[TennesseeGator]

To the older guard the biggest rival is Georgia.

To the newer generations from around 45ish down it is Florida State.

To folks who live in the south portion of the state can argue their case for it being Miami.

To those in the panhandle can argue that it is either and/or Auburn and Alabama. Auburn has been a long time matchup until the expansion of the conference.

Some of us who hit our prime in the 90's can even point to Tennessee.

We've been brewing up a good storm with LSU and we play them as our consecutive West opponent.

Edit: Wanted to add that Florida vs Alabama has been the most played SECCG. Sure lopsided here lately but that can always change.

 

[PacoGator19]

Many people don’t realize how big of a rivalry UF/Auburn was. It was a big one but a game that was lost when the SEC split into divisions. IMO since I have been watching UF football since the early 80s I’d go with UGA, FSU and Tennessee. However, the Tennessee rivalry has really lost its luster over the last 15 years because of our domination of them so LSU has kind of started creeping in. With that being said UT is still a big one as they are a divisional opponent and LSU is not.

 

[NavigatorII]

Many people don’t realize how big of a rivalry UF/Auburn was. It was a big one but a game that was lost when the SEC split into divisions. IMO since I have been watching UF football since the early 80s I’d go with UGA, FSU and Tennessee. However, the Tennessee rivalry has really lost its luster over the last 15 years because of our domination of them so LSU has kind of started creeping in. With that being said UT is still a big one as they are a divisional opponent and LSU is not.

That's true. GA is #1, Auburn WAS #2. Those back to back games in the 70's and 80's were brutal. Two full scale wars with no week off. It's no surprise UF was mentally and physically spent after the Auburn game. The series tally would be one hell of a lot different (between FL/GA) if not for that scheduling blunder.

 

[LizardGrad89]

That's true. GA is #1, Auburn WAS #2. Those back to back games in the 70's and 80's were brutal. Two full scale wars with no week off. It's no surprise UF was mentally and physically spent after the Auburn game. The series tally would be one hell of a lot different (between FL/GA) if not for that scheduling blunder.

What blunder? It's what Dooley wanted.

 

[PacoGator19]

I do miss the UF/Auburn games.

 

[PlutoDroid]

I would say it alternates in importance depending on the stakes, but in order I would say :

1. Georgia
2. FSU
3.LSU
4. Tennessee

Those being the four annuals. Like others have said it used to be Auburn, and Miami, but we don't play them annually. In the 90's Tennessee was in Georgia's spot imo. That was the rivalry that made me a Gators fan.

 

[Gator Fever]

Georgia and FSU the top 2 for sure. I would say Tennessee 3rd even though its been pretty lopsided lately.

 

[NavigatorII]

I would say it alternates in importance depending on the stakes, but in order I would say :

1. Georgia
2. FSU
3.LSU
4. Tennessee

Those being the four annuals. Like others have said it used to be Auburn, and Miami, but we don't play them annually. In the 90's Tennessee was in Georgia's spot imo. That was the rivalry that made me a Gators fan.

In the 80's and 90's we had a plate full to say grace over. FSU, UM, GA, Auburn, and TN. Peyton Manning wanted no part of playing the Gata. What other team had such a gauntlet of a schedule every season? UGA slipped off the cliff in the 90s and became irrelevant for over a decade, but that was a tough annual schedule.

 

[NavigatorII]

What blunder? It's what Dooley wanted.

lol........touche.

 

[instaGATOR]

The real biggest rivals of Gator football?

1. SEC Home Offices in Birmingham, Alabama.
2. SEC Game Officials.
3. The NCAA Recruiting Violations dirtbags....
JMOHO's as always.... 😇

 

[ih8f$u]

No one needs me to chime in with my opinion on this, I’m assuming?

 

[g8rhoo]

No one needs me to chime in with my opinion on this, I’m assuming?

No. I’m not even sure we have played Fresno State.

 

[fsu939913]

No one needs me to chime in with my opinion on this, I’m assuming?

Lol

 

[gatorshime]

The Florida Gators may have an obvious rival, but who is the second or third rival? Is there a second or third?

We—the students and professors of the Know Rivalry Project—began answering this question and others related to rivalry in College Football. Please help us expand our results to ensure that the Florida Gators are included by completing our newest survey, which takes about 9 minutes:

Know Rivalry - Research on rivalries

Rivalry data displayed at knowrivalry.com

umassamherst.co1.qualtrics.com

Past results have been featured in media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal and New York Times. You can view those results, links to media coverage, and learn more about us at our KnowRivalry.com website. However, we would prefer you didn't until you completed the survey via the link above.

We use the Qualtrics online survey software for data collection. This academic research has been approved by two US universities' Institutional Review Boards (IRB) and poses no risks to respondents. You'll find more information on the disclosure agreement that is required to start the survey. Thank you for helping us to include the Florida Gators by participating and please share this with any other fans that may also help.

Jonah, Student Researcher, Northern Kentucky University
Dr. Joe Cobbs, Northern Kentucky University
Dr. David Tyler, University of Massachusetts—Amherst

FSU come on it’s a no brainer...

 

[fsumc]

I just hope during the FSU/UF game all the players have fun and can stay really good friends.

 

[Nicktheslick]

I just hope during the FSU/UF game all the players have fun and can stay really good friends.

🤣