Florida: College Football Coaches Aren't Buying Jon Sumrall Hype

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The Florida Gators have been a trendy team to be named a dark horse for the College Football Playoff in head coach Jon Sumrall's first season with the program.

Not all of Sumrall's peers are buying the hype.

During an appearance on "Another Dooley Noted Podcast" in June, former Gators head coach Steve Spurrier argued that Sumrall should be able to win a minimum of nine games in 2026.

“It's going to be who plays the best and who wins the close games," Spurrier said. "That's what it may come down to. And I really believe we're going to have a team that's a lot better than number nine in the SEC right now.

"So in fact, I think we can win nine or more games. That's my minimum right now for this team we got and coaching staff. Just like Coach Sumrall and the staff and the attitude these players seem to have when you're around them.”

The USA Today released their preseason coaches poll for the upcoming season. Florida wasn't even ranked in the Top 25, though the Gators were second in the "others receiving votes" category.

The message to Sumrall and Florida is clear. The Gators can't live off what Sumrall did at Tulane in the American Conference. He's going to have to prove he can compete in the SEC, something Billy Napier struggled in the transition to from a Group of 6 program.

During the SEC Media Days in Tampa, Florida, in July, Sumrall acknowledged that the Gators have a long way to go before competing for the national championship. He noted Florida needs to provide more resources for a CFP run.

"Can we get there?" Sumrall said. "I believe we can, or I wouldn't have taken the job. Is it going to happen overnight? It's not going to be easy, but I think things are trending positively.”

"Recruiting's going really well. … Are we resourced like the top three in our league? Doubtful. Are we the bottom three in our league? Don't think we're that either. So whoever said less is more, never had less. I think more is more."

There's an argument to be made that Florida should start the season in the Top 25. However, the Gators won't have to worry about that if they take care of business early in the season and earn a win over Auburn on Sept. 19.

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