Florida football enters a new era under head coach Jon Sumrall, and the schedule is anything but forgiving. The Gators will face three teams that qualified for the College Football Playoff last season—Ole Miss, Georgia, and Oklahoma—plus two more squads (Texas and Vanderbilt) that finished in the top 14 of the 2025 CFP rankings.
As a result, Florida’s schedule strength ranks fifth nationally, according to College Football News Network. The average win total of UF’s 12 opponents from 2025 stands at 7.3, with five of those teams posting 10 or more victories last season.
The SEC agreed to shift to a nine-game conference slate starting in 2026, aiming to boost revenue and improve competitive balance. Florida’s non-conference schedule features home games against Florida Atlantic and Campbell (an FCS opponent). The Gators will close the 2026 season with their annual rivalry trip to Florida State on Nov. 28.
Here are five games to watch in Sumrall’s first season:
Florida at Auburn, Sept. 19
UF’s SEC opener also marks its first visit to Jordan-Hare Stadium since 2011. This matchup pits two first-year SEC head coaches: Sumrall will face Auburn’s Alex Golesh, who led USF to an 18-16 upset of Florida at The Swamp on Sept. 6, 2025.
Florida will encounter familiar faces: USF quarterback Byrum Brown and receiver Keshaun Singleton followed Golesh to Auburn. Brown threw for 263 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 66 yards in that win over the Gators, and Singleton hauled in two catches for 75 yards and a score.
The game features additional storylines. Former Auburn receiver Eric Singleton Jr. is expected to play a key role in Florida’s offense after transferring to UF this offseason. Auburn initially pursued Sumrall for its head-coaching vacancy before pivoting to Golesh when Sumrall accepted the Florida job. A road victory in the SEC opener could set a positive tone for the Gators’ campaign.
Florida vs. Ole Miss, Sept. 26
Florida’s SEC home opener comes against an Ole Miss team eyeing a conference title under head coach Pete Golding in his first full season at the helm. Golding served as interim coach last year and led the Rebels to the College Football Playoff semifinals, where they fell to Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.
Ole Miss returns standout quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and star running back Kewan Lacy, both key figures in the Rebels’ 34-24 win over Florida in Oxford last season. However, offensive masterminds Lane Kiffin and Charlie Weis Jr. have moved on to LSU.
The game will feature two of the SEC’s premier running backs: Lacy and Florida junior Jadan Baugh. The outcome may hinge on which team establishes the run more effectively behind their star backs.
Florida at Texas, Oct. 17
Florida makes its second trip to Austin in three years. The Gators upset the Longhorns 29-21 in The Swamp on Oct. 4, 2025, but their last visit to Austin ended in a 49-17 blowout loss on Nov. 9, 2024.
Texas has its sights set on an SEC title with Arch Manning returning for his second season as starting quarterback. Florida will face a high-powered Longhorns offense led by head coach Steve Sarkisian.
Florida vs. Georgia, Oct. 31 (Atlanta)
The border rivalry takes on a new look as Florida faces Georgia at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. This marks the first time since 1995 that the game has been played away from Jacksonville, due to renovations at EverBank Stadium.
Georgia has won five straight in the series and eight of the last nine. The Bulldogs return quarterback Gunner Stokcton, who will need to develop chemistry with a new group of receivers.
Florida at Florida State, Nov. 28
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