Florida State University has officially finalized its 2027 football schedule, confirming a lucrative non-conference matchup against the ULM Warhawks to open the season. According to Kevin Kelley of FBSchedules.com, the Seminoles will host the Sun Belt program on August 28, 2027, at Doak Campbell Stadium. This game marks a significant financial commitment, with FSU paying ULM $1.35 million for the contest. The date adjustment from the originally planned September 11 slot aligns with the NCAA’s recent decision to permit all FBS teams to play in the weekend preceding Labor Day, effectively establishing a new Week 0 tradition.
Seminoles shift kickoff to Week 0, setting stage for new head coach’s debut
The upcoming contest carries substantial narrative weight as it will serve as the debut game for FSU’s next head football coach, a position currently in transition. Historically, the Seminoles hold a dominant record against the Warhawks, winning the first three all-time meetings with a combined score of 121-54. While the first two encounters were decisive blowouts, the 2019 meeting provided a closer contest, with FSU narrowly escaping a potential upset to win 45-44. This history suggests that while the Warhawks are a manageable opponent, they possess the capability to keep games competitive into the late stages.
This matchup completes FSU’s 2027 slate, which consists of three non-conference games and nine ACC contests. Beyond the ULM opener, the Seminoles will host the ETSU Buccaneers on November 20 and travel to face the Florida Gators on November 27. The ACC portion of the schedule includes home games against Duke, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Miami, and Stanford, with road trips scheduled to California, Clemson, North Carolina, and Syracuse. This balanced mix of high-profile conference rivals and strategic non-conference tests provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating the new coaching staff’s first season.
Source: Yahoo Sports
