CBS Sports has this bold prediction for Florida football in 2026

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Florida football is expected to make a quick turnaround under its new head coach, at least according to one national outlet.

CBS Sports included the Gators in its bold SEC predictions for the 2026 season this week, forecasting that head coach Jon Sumrall will lead the Orange and Blue to a bowl game in his first year on the job.

Marcello pointed to Sumrall’s history of winning as the primary reason for optimism in Gainesville. The first-year Florida head coach has won at least nine games every season as a head coach and carries a combined 21-7 record in debut seasons at his previous stops. He is rebuilding a program for the third time in five years and has consistently shown the ability to get the best out of his roster, regardless of circumstances.

The piece also acknowledged the uncertainty at quarterback, noting the position battle between Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo and redshirt freshman Tramell Jones Jr. as the most obvious talking point for skeptics heading into the season. But Marcello pushed back on that narrative, suggesting that Sumrall and offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner actually thrive in situations where they are forced to build from the ground up.

Sumrall talked about the starting quarterback situation after the spring game on Saturday, saying, “Nothing’s decided yet. I do think sometimes we can make too much about the quarterback deal. It’s like, hey, we’ve got to figure out who our O-line is, which tight ends can do what, which backs are certain types of runners. But the quarterbacks have done some good things.”

Here is everything CBS Sports said about Florida football and why it can make a bowl game this season.

CBS Sports’ bold prediction for Florida

Gators go bowling

“Jon Sumrall will take Florida to a bowl game in his debut season. Honestly, this is the least-bold prediction on the list. Sumrall has won at least nine games every season, and he always gets the best out of his roster. He’s rebuilding a third program in five years. He’s a combined 21-7 in debut seasons.

“The critics will point to the underwhelming quarterback battle between Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. to justify their lowered expectations, but Sumrall and offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner thrive when forced to build from the ground up.”

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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: CBS Sports has this bold prediction for Florida football in 2026

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