The cancellation of the Florida State and Georgia home-and-home series is a significant development in college football scheduling, and it's got a lot of people talking. This decision, made by both programs, comes as a result of evolving scheduling mandates within their respective conferences, the ACC and SEC. While it's a bummer for fans of these historic programs, it's not all doom and gloom. The good news is that they're now working towards a neutral-site game, which could be a real treat for neutral-site game enthusiasts.
A History of Meetings
Florida State and Georgia have a rich history of meetings, but it's been a while since they've faced off. The last time they played each other was in the 2023 Orange Bowl, with Georgia emerging victorious. Since then, both programs have been on very different paths. Florida State, fresh off a 13-1 campaign in 2023, suffered its worst season in program history in 2024, going 2-10. This led to some doubt about head coach Mike Norvell's future. However, things seemed to be turning around for the Seminoles when they upset No. 8 Alabama 31-17 in Tallahassee to kick off the 2025 season.
But, as they say, what goes up must come down. Florida State then went 4-7 across their final 11 games and missed bowl eligibility for the second consecutive season. On the other hand, Georgia has been on a roll. They made the College Football Playoff in both 2024 and 2025, earning a bye in both iterations. However, they fell to Texas in the 2025 Sugar Bowl and were upset by Trinidad Chambliss and Ole Miss in the 2026 Sugar Bowl.
The Shift to Neutral-Site
The decision to cancel the home-and-home series and shift to a neutral-site game is a strategic move. As reported by Marc Weiszer, Georgia approached Florida State about the changes. This isn't the first time Georgia has played a neutral-site game; they recently switched their series against Georgia Tech to a neutral site at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. It's interesting to note that Georgia also plays Florida yearly in Jacksonville (EverBank Stadium).
The Future is Bright
While the cancellation of the home-and-home series is a setback, it's not the end of the world. The focus now is on finding a neutral-site game that works for both programs. The optimism expressed by FSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Michael Alford is encouraging. He believes that a neutral-site contest can be arranged, and this change won't reduce the total home games on their schedule moving forward.
In conclusion, the cancellation of the Florida State and Georgia home-and-home series is a strategic move that could lead to an exciting neutral-site game. It's a reminder that scheduling in college football is a complex and ever-evolving process, and sometimes, a change is as good as a rest.
