A game-by-game look at the Gators’ football schedule
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Sept. 5:vs. Florida Atlantic, 7:45 p.m., TV TBD: The Owls are 0-4 against Florida, but the offense of Zach Kittley, just 34 and the nation’s youngest head coach, could test the Gators’ defense. In 2025, Kittley’s first season, FAU averaged a nation-leading 340.2 passing yards, but also tied for the national lead with 20 interceptions. Meanwhile, Florida should encounter little resistance from a defense that allowed a program-record 36.3 points per game.
Sept. 12:vs. Campbell, 5:30 p.m., TV TBD: The Fighting Camels will receive $525,000 for serving as Florida’s final tune-up before SEC play. Coming off a 2-10 season, FCS member Campbell averaged just 23.5 points while surrendering 37.2 per game.
Sept. 19:at Auburn, 7 p.m., TV TBD: In a series that began in 1912, the Gators will travel to raucous Jordan-Hare Stadium for the first time since 2011 to face a another once-proud program enduring tough times. Alex Golesh, Auburn’s third head coach since 2023, arrives from USF, where he stunned the 2025 Gators in the Swamp and accelerated Billy Napier’s eventual ouster.
Sept. 26:vs. Ole Miss, Time, TV TBD: Rebels’ quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and All-SEC tailback Kewan Lacy will lead a College Football Playoff contender into the Swamp, giving Jon Sumrall’s squad an early opportunity for a marquee win. Florida’s unproven pass rush and secondary will be put to the test.
Oct. 3: at Missouri, Time, TV TBD: Florida has lost three of its past four trips to Columbia, where Eli Drinkwitz has put together a solid program but faces a rebuild. To have a chance, the Gators must slow SEC rushing champion Ahmad Hardy and force Ole Miss transfer quarterback Austin Simmons, a former Florida commit, to beat them.
Oct. 10:vs. South Carolina, Time, TV TBD: Shane Beamer enters Year 6 under pressure after the Gamecocks lost eight of their final 10 games in 2025. Still, South Carolina boasts one of the SEC’s most dynamic trios in quarterback LaNorris Sellers, receiver Nyck Harbor and edge rusher Dylan Stewart.
Oct. 17:at Texas, Time, TV TBD: The Gators last trip to Austin ended in a 49-17 rout. These Arch Manning-led Longhorns should be even better, making this arguably Florida’s toughest challenge of the 2026 season.
Oct. 31:vs. Georgia (Atlanta), 3:30 p.m., ABC: The Bulldogs have dominated the rivalry since Kirby Smart’s second season, winning eight of nine meetings. With Jacksonville’s EverBank Stadium under renovation, Georgia will enjoy a decided home-field advantage in the Dawgs’ backyard.
Nov. 7:vs. Oklahoma, Time, TV TBD: The Sooners will bring one of the nation’s top defenses to Gainesville for their first visit to the Swamp. If quarterback John Mateer returns to pre-thumb injury form, Oklahoma could be among the SEC’s most complete teams.
Nov. 14:at Kentucky, Time, TV TBD: This one is personal for Sumrall, a former Kentucky linebacker, and a reminder of Florida’s recent struggles. The Gators have lost three straight in Lexington since picking up their last road SEC night victory there in 2019 when Kyle Trask engineered a comeback against the Wildcats.
Nov. 20:vs. Vanderbilt, Time, TV TBD: Clark Lea has turned Vanderbilt into a legitimiate threat, but it won’t be easy to replace playmaking quarterback Diego Pavia after he led the Commodores to the first 10-win season in program history.
Nov. 26: at Florida State, 3:30 p.m., ABC: Embattled coach Mike Norvell could be fighting for his job or leading a resurgence when the Seminoles try to snap two-game losing streak against their rivals. FSU returns just six starters, while Auburn transfer Ashton Daniels becomes the program’s third starting quarterback in as many seasons.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com.
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