FSU to Open 2020 Against West Virginia

Florida State in Atlanta seems to be coming a bit of a theme. The Seminoles kick off 2017 there against Alabama and to open 2020, that’s where they’ll face West Virginia.

According to a report from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, FSU and West Virginia will compete in the 2020 Chick-fil-A Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The contest had been discussed for some time now, but will finally becoming to fruition. FSU will receive $4.25 million to play the game.

The Sept. 5 game will air on ESPN, but no kickoff time has yet been set. FSU now has three neutral-site openers set for the next four years. In addition to Alabama next season, the Seminoles will kick off 2019 against Boise State in Jacksonville.

Under head coach Jimbo Fisher, FSU is 2-0 in neutral-site openers. The Seminoles beat Ole Miss 45-34 in Orlando to open up this past season. In 2014, FSU held off Oklahoma State in Dallas, 37-31.

The match-up between the Mountaineers and Seminoles will be the first since the Gator Bowl at the end of the 2009 season. FSU won that contest 33-21 in what was the final game in the legendary career of head coach Bobby Bowden.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson