TALLAHASSEE, Fla. _ Florida State and Georgia announced Tuesday they have agreed to a home-and-home series, with the first game to be played Sept. 4, 2027, in Tallahassee and the second in Athens, Ga., on Sept. 16, 2028.
The Seminoles have prioritized having tough nonconference opponents on their schedule to bolster their chances of reaching the College Football Playoff semifinals, previously facing Alabama in the 2017 season opener and extending their annual rivalry series with Florida.
The contract includes a $250,000 payout to the visiting team to cover expenses and a visiting team allotment of 6,000 tickets, according to a copy of the series contract obtained by the Orlando Sentinel.
The teams' most recent regular-season meeting was in October 1965 when the Seminoles defeated Georgia, 10-3.
Seminoles coach Willie Taggart said the new series will be a great way to reach out to fans in the neighboring state of Georgia.
"This is a series with history dating back to the early years of FSU football, and I'm glad we are resuming it," Taggart said. "These two games will be great for fans of both programs, especially those interested in traveling to experience the atmosphere here in Tallahassee or in Athens, and will give us another opportunity to play in front of our large group of alumni in the state of Georgia."
The two teams faced each other nine times from 1954-65, with the Bulldogs winning the first five and the Seminoles responding with a four-game win streak. FSU and Georgia met again in the 1984 Citrus Bowl, a 17-17 tie, and the 2003 Sugar Bowl, which Georgia won.
The Seminoles are looking to return to prominence after missing their first bowl game in 35 years this past season. Interim athletics director David Coburn said in order to get back to being one of the best, the Seminoles have to play the best teams.
"Our nonconference schedule is among the strongest in the country with an annual game against Florida in addition to regular matchups with Notre Dame," he said. "And this series with Georgia fits the criteria for how we want to build future schedules. I also want to thank Coach Taggart for his commitment to facing high-quality opponents that will excite fans and continue to strengthen Florida State's place among the preeminent programs in the country."
The Seminoles are currently in their final week of spring practice, which concludes Saturday with the annual Garnet and Gold Spring Game. Florida State begins its 2019 season Aug. 31 against Boise State in Jacksonville.
