Is Florida back? Gators put college football on notice in Week 4

Is Florida back? Gators put college football on notice in Week 4

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Is Florida back? Gators put college football on notice in Week 4

One of the holy lands of college football is located in Gainesville, Fla. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is home to the Florida Gators and known across the nation as The Swamp. Historically, it has been one of the toughest venues in all of college football.

For years, though, Florida hasn’t looked like … Florida. The Gators have only had two winning seasons this decade and haven’t recorded a double-digit-win season since 2019. Multiple head coaches, roster turnover and plenty of disappointment from Gators fans have loomed over the program.

That changed when Florida hired Jon Sumrall away from the Tulane Green Wave. Sumrall’s track record is excellent, but he was still an unknown commodity in the SEC. Could he revive the program? Florida analysts felt good about the hire but didn’t expect it to happen until Year 3. Instead, it has taken just one season to give this fanbase as much optimism as it has felt since the days of Urban Meyer and Tim Tebow.

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Florida entered Week 3 on the road against an Auburn team also looking to bounce back after years of struggles. Jordan-Hare Stadium is another signature venue notoriously difficult to play in. Florida came away with a 44-39 victory.

Jadan Baugh and Duke Clark have a strong case to be the best RB duo in college football.

Baugh: 29 CAR, 142 RUYDS, 3 TD | Clark: 12 CAR, 126 RUYDS, 1 TD

268 RUYDS and 4 TD combined in Florida’s 52 to 28 win over No. 4 Ole Miss. https://t.co/DETaLjBZLHpic.twitter.com/bjSgbKJiV6

— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) September 27, 2026

Then, the Gators returned home to host a top-five Ole Miss Rebels team in The Swamp. They dominated, winning 52-28. Now, the college football world is asking …

Is Florida back?

The Gators are absolutely back. With Jadan Baugh leading the way, Florida has looked like a familiar product on the field. Perhaps, dare I say, the best version of the Gators in nearly two decades?

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Those are big shoes to fill considering what the 2000s Florida Gators accomplished. However, Sumrall has injected this fan base with an incredible sense of electricity. When The Swamp is rocking, college football is truly at its peak.

Florida running back Jadan Baugh (13) scores against Mississippi during the first half an NCAA football game against Mississippi

Florida running back Jadan Baugh (13) scores against Mississippi during the first half an NCAA football game against Mississippi at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, September 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun] Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Florida is going to generate plenty of hype throughout the remainder of its schedule. That includes games against Texas and Georgia, along with other challenging SEC road games.

Sumrall, though, has this team playing like national championship contenders in just one season. There are eight games remaining, and a lot can change between now and the end of the season.

However, yes, it is safe to say Florida is back.

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