Florida Gators football enters 2026 season under new coach Jon Sumrall

The Florida Gators football program enters the 2026-2027 season under new head coach Jon Sumrall, aiming to end a period of relative mediocrity in the SEC. Sumrall, who previously led Tulane to an 11-3 season and a College Football Playoff appearance, takes over a program that has struggled to maintain its former dominance since 2010.

ESPN's Football Power Index predicts the Gators will finish with a 7-5 record, placing them ninth in the SEC. Analyst Paul Finebaum noted that an early victory against the Auburn Tigers in the third week of the season could serve as a “bellwether game” that determines if the team can achieve a “really good year.”

The Gators' upcoming schedule includes matchups against Florida Atlantic, Campbell, Auburn, Ole Miss, Missouri, South Carolina, Texas, Georgia, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and Florida State.