Florida Gators Football: 8 Schools That Could Make for Fun Future Foes

Like many of you, I really enjoy fantasy football. It adds a little more to the games to be able to draft and make trades for NFL players you think can make your team better.

So, why not try a little fantasy scheduling?

Now, let me throw out a disclaimer here: these games (save for one) won't be happening, unless the teams meet in a bowl. Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley explained to me about 13 years ago that it just doesn't make financial sense for the Gators to abandon the significant amount of money brought in by a single game at Florida Field to secure what would have to be a home-and-home with another powerhouse.

But we can dream, can't we?

Miami

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EL PASO, TX - DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Jacory Harris #12 of the Miami Hurricanes throws against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the Hyundai Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl on December 30, 2010 in El Paso, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

It's a shame the Gators and Hurricanes no longer meet on an annual basis, but the two schools can look forward to seeing one another on the 2014 schedule.

Texas

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GAINESVILLE, FL - APRIL 9: Coach Will Muschamp of the Florida Gators directs play during the Orange and Blue spring football game April 9, 2011 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

This one could be called the "Muschamp Bowl" in honor of Florida's coach, who was once the head-coach-in-waiting at Texas.

Oregon

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: LaMichael James #21 and Bo Thran #69 of the Oregon Ducks react to a play againt the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (P

Like Florida, Oregon has become a national powerhouse. The Ducks also have dipped their webbed toes into SEC waters (against Auburn in January's BCS title game), and will again this year when they meet LSU in Dallas on Sept. 3.

Oklahoma

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Head coach Bob Stoops looks on while taking on the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

This would be a rematch of Florida's second BCS title win (and third overall national championship). It also would bring the man rumored on multiple occasions to be UF's next head coach (Bob Stoops) up against the school where he was the defensive coordinator prior to being hired by the Sooners.

Ohio State

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Coach Urban Meyer of the Florida Gators directs play against the Penn State Nittany Lions January 1, 2010 in the 25th Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Yeah, the Buckeyes are due for a significant drop once the NCAA sanctions are imposed. But wouldn't it be a lot of fun to have these two teams face off if the guy pictured here is coaching Ohio State? It also would be a rematch of UF's first BCS title win (and second national championship victory).

Illinois

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CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 02: Head coach Ron Zook of the Illinois Fighting Illini watches as his team takes on the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Champaign, Illinois. Ohio State defeated Illinois 24-13. (Photo by Jonathan Dani

If only to hear the reception given to Ron Zook upon his return to Gainesville. Would he be booed for UF's troubles on the field under his watch, or would he be cheered for recruiting many of the players who led the Gators to their first BCS national championship (and second national title)?

Stanford

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal throws pass against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. Stanford won 40-12. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty

Stanford is a budding national power, and it has the nation's best player returning in 2011. The Cardinal also recently pulled a recruiting coup when it got a commitment from stud linebacker Noor Davis, who plays for The Villages, a high school about 35 minutes from Gainesville.

USC

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 16: Head Coach Lane Kiffin of the USC Trojans during warm up against the California Golden Bears at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 16, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Remember those barbs Lane Kiffin tossed Florida's way during his short run at Tennessee? Sure, you do. It didn't matter to Kiffin that his wife grew up a Gator fan in Gainesville. And it wouldn't matter to Gator fans that USC has been hit with major sanctions by the NCAA. The hatred would be reborn in this coast-to-coast matchup.