Florida A&M's football team is getting an early start to the 2017 college football season.

The Rattlers will open their season Aug. 26 at home against Texas Southern. The game, dubbed the Jake Gaithe Classic, will be played at noon -- it was originally scheduled for 6 p.m.

FAMU Athletic Director Milton Overton Jr. confirmed the move was the result of the ESPN deal for the game. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU.

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