Michigan to Face Florida in 2017 Cowboy Classic

Owned.

Sad Urban is sad. No Papa Johns in this photo though.

You may recall a certain bowl game in which a certain outgoing Michigan coach handed a certain Florida coach his one and only (to this day) bowl loss. Yeah. Me too.

This game has been widely rumored to be happening ever since the leaked Big Ten schedules found their way onto the internet a few months ago. So, now it's official. Michigan is headed back to Dallas (Arlington) in 2017 to redeem themselves from the Alabama shellacking from 2012.

Via UM press release:
Wolverines and Gators to Battle on Gridiron in 2017 Cowboys Classic
DALLAS, Texas – The University of Michigan and University of Florida football teams will square off in the 2017 Cowboys Classic on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The game will be televised nationally in prime time.

“We are excited to make a return trip to Dallas for the Cowboys Classic against Florida,” said U-M football coach Brady Hoke. “This is a great way to reach our fan base in the south and to continue to expand our recruiting efforts in the state of Texas. Our goal is to have as many Michigan fans at the game as possible.

“Florida has been one of college football’s best programs over the past 20 years, and we are excited to face the Gators in a regular season football game for the first time ever,” added Hoke.

Michigan will be the away team with Florida designated as the home team. The game officials and instant replay crew will come from the Big 12 Conference.

Ticket details for the 2017 Cowboys Classic will be announced a later date.

This will be the third all-time match-up between Michigan and Florida and the first regular season contest played between the two programs. Both previous match-ups with the Gators came in bowl games. U-M won both of those Jan. 1 bowl contests, claiming a 38-30 win in the 2003 Outback Bowl and a 41-35 victory in the 2008 Capital One Bowl.

The addition of Florida completes Michigan’s 2017 football schedule.

Michigan also announced that the previously schedule 2016 football game against Ball State has been moved to the 2020 season. The Wolverines will host Hoke’s alma mater on Sept. 12, 2020, at Michigan Stadium.