Expert predictions, picks for Florida football vs Campbell in Week 2

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Week 2 of the college football season has the Florida Gators lined up to face the Campbell Camels inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday. It will be the first time that the Orange and Blue have faced the FCS school, and the matchup comes before the SEC schedule begins next week on the road against Auburn.

Florida has amassed a 25-1 record across 26 contests against FCS opponents since 1981, with the lone loss over that span coming against Georgia Southern in 2013. The Gators have outscored their FCS opponents by an average margin of 39.3 points and have eclipsed 450 total yards in five straight while rushing for over 150 yards in nine in a row.

While Florida looked good in the 2026 season opener, there is still room for improvement. Sumrall and Co. will be looking to smooth the edges — particularly on defense — before embarking on their conference journey. What better way to hone their weapons than against an FCS opponent?

With all of that in mind, the Gators Wire staff convened to offer their expert opinion on the upcoming matchup. Here is what we had to offer.

'It is hard to see the Gators falling short against Campbell'

After the offensive domination witnessed in Week 1 against FAU, it is hard to see the Gators falling short against Campbell in Week 2. Sure, Florida has some wrinkles to work out in its defense and there is still some room for improvement to be made on the other side of the ball, but this team seems to be trending in the right direction early on.

The key to this matchup is that Sumrall and Co. use their FCS opponent to prepare for the upcoming SEC gauntlet. Things get tough really quickly, starting with a road matchup with Auburn in Week 3, so now is the time to tie up any loose ends that the Gators might have. — Adam Dubbin

PREDICTION: Florida 70, Campbell 10

'Expect the defense to make their statement this game'

The Florida offense was arguably one of the best that was on display from an SEC team this past weekend, and the sentiment should still hold, if not explode even more, against Campbell. Points should come seamlessly, and I expect to see Tramell Jones Jr. earlier in this game than in the previous outing.

Florida's main concern in the win over FAU was its defense, and I expect the Gators to be cleaner around the edges as they prepare for SEC play the following week. Expect the defense to make their statement this game. — Michael Trim Jr.

PREDICTION: Florida 63, Campbell 3

'Florida controls the game from start to finish'

Go! Go! Go! Florida's offense had one speed in the opening week and there's little reason to believe Campbell has the personnel to slow down Jadan Baugh, Vernell Brown III and the rest of the Gators' wealth of weapons. I expect Buster Faulkner to continue opening up the offense while getting several young players meaningful opportunities before SEC play begins.

My biggest focus rests on Florida's defensive front. Perhaps a game against inferior competition will be just what the unit needs to spring forward as big-time football ramps up Week 3 and beyond. It's fair to say the Gators' front struggled against FAU — Gerald Chatman's group was rendered ineffective for much of the game and Caden Veltkamp looked far too comfortable in the pocket against an SEC rush. The run defense wasn't stellar either, with the Owls finding success on the ground in spurts. Saturday will be a chance for the group to respond and show improvement.

Dallas Wilson should benefit from Eric Singleton's absence and I'd love to see Pryor and Clark gain confidence in the second half after Baugh continues making his Heisman case. Florida controls the game from start to finish, minus a few hiccups that surfaced against FAU. Sumrall keeps his foot on the gas to drive home an outspoken message for this team heading into Auburn. — Michael Long

PREDICTION: Florida 62, Campbell 3

'There's little reason to expect anything other than a blowout'

There's little reason to expect anything other than a blowout this week against Campbell. The offense looks good under Buster Faulkner, and now the players have actual game reps. Much to my surprise, Aaron Philo handled the deep ball well, and not having Eric Singleton for most of the game proved inconsequential. Another three-tuddy day for Jadan Baugh would be nice, but this is the game I'd get the backups in a bit earlier.

Defensively, things need to be tighter, and I expect they will be. Playing closer on third down and giving max effort throughout the game is the only option if this group is going to improve.

PREDICTION: Florida 62, Campbell 6 

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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Expert predictions, picks for Florida football vs Campbell in Week 2

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