Florida football score predictions for every game on the 2026 schedule

Florida football is about to embark on a nine-game SEC schedule for the first time in program history.

It just happens to coincide with the first season under Florida Gators head coach Jon Sumrall. But don't expect any complaints from Sumrall about his challenging slate, which includes five teams ranked in the preseason US LBM Top 25 coaches' poll.

"We're gonna play anybody, anywhere, anytime," Sumrall said. "Whoever they put on our schedule, we're gonna play. I'm not gonna whine and complain about being an SEC head football coach."

Per ESPN's power index, Florida's schedule ranks as the seventh toughest in the country. Sumrall has preached the same physical and mental toughness to his players throughout fall camp to prepare for the challenges to come.

"I don't worry about our record though right now," Sumrall said. "I worry about getting better. Like, I'm so worried about just us getting better every day. And then when we get to next week, we'll focus on trying to be 1-0 next week."

Here's our game-by-game predictions for Florida football in 2025:

Game 1: Florida football 49, Florida Atlantic 21

Florida's debut game under Jon Sumrall will include a few shaky moments defensively. Florida Atlantic, which led the nation in pass offense at 340.7 yards per game in 2025, will make a few big plays with returning quarterback Caden Veltkamp making a few big plays due to communication breakdowns in UF's secondary.

But Florida will more than make it up offensively as new offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner will take shots against a suspect FAU defense. Quarterback Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones will combine to throw for five TD passes and Jadan Baugh will begin his quest to become the SEC's leading rusher with a 100-yard game.

Game 2: Florida football 56, Campbell 3

Florida will score 21 points in the first quarter and not let up against an overmatched FCS opponent, improving to 2-0 for the first time since 2021.

Again, Philo will throw the ball well early before giving way to Jones, who won't miss a beat. The duo will combine for six TD pass and Florida will return a punt for a TD for the first time since 2020.

Defensively, Florida will clean up its issues in the back end and put forth a dominant effort.

Game 3: Florida football 21, Auburn 16

Florida will pick up its first signature win under Sumrall, rallying from down 10 points at halftime to pick up its first win at Auburn since 1999.

UF's defensive will force two turnovers, and Philo will lead the Gators on a late touchdown drive to seal the win. Eric Singleton Jr. will finish the game with more than 100 yards receiving and a TD to burn his former team.

Game 4: Ole Miss 28, Florida football 24

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss will lead a late touchdown that will spoil UF's home SEC opener. Lapses in the secondary will again hurt the Gators defensively. Offensively, Florida will start fast before stalling in the second half.

Game 5: Florida football 28, Missouri 17

In a matchup between two of the SEC's top running back, Baugh will get the best of Missouri's Ahmad Hardy, posting his third 100-yard rushing effort of the season to lift UF a key bounce back win on the road.

Defensively, Florida will record three interceptions against Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons, a former Pahokee High standout who was recruited by UF.

Game 6: Florida football 34, South Carolina 17

Florida will carry over its defensive performance from the Missouri game into The Swamp. The Gators will sack South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers five times and force three turnovers to notch another homecoming win.

Offensively, Baugh and Philo will lead a balanced offensive attack as the Gators will finish the game with two touchdowns passing and two touchdowns rushing. Patrick Durkin will kick a pair of field goals.

Game 7: Texas 28, Florida football 13

The Longhorns will avenge their loss at The Swamp last season as Arch Manning will throw TD passes to lift Texas to the win over the Gators in Austin, Texas.

An old friend, former Florida coach turned Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, will devise a scheme that will shut down Baugh and force Philo to throw the ball to win. Philo will throw two interceptions, which will allow the Longhorns to pull away in the second half.

Game 8: Georgia 24, Florida football 17

For the second straight season, Florida will be competitive against rival Georgia but won't have enough to finish off the Bulldogs in the second half.

Gunner Stockton, the more experienced quarterback in the rivalry, will throw three TD passes. Georgia fans will outnumber Florida fans at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and the crowd noise will rattle UF into some key mistakes.

Game 9: Florida football 28, Oklahoma 17

Florida will pull off its biggest upset of the season, knocking off the Sooners in Oklahoma's first-ever visit to The Swamp.

The Gators will ride the emotion of Urban Meyer being inducted into the Ring of Honor. The crowd will play a factor in Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer throwing three interceptions. Baugh will have a big day on the ground against an elite Oklahoma defense and Florida will make another big play on special teams that will factor into the outcome of the game.

Game 10: Kentucky 31, Florida football 24

The hangover effect of playing three straight games against Texas, Georgia and Oklahoma will come at Kentucky, as first-year coach Will Stein will lead the Wildats to an upset win at home over the Gators.

Playing a night game in cold weather will factor into UF starting the game sluggish. It won't be a happy homecoming for Sumrall, who played linebacker at Kentucky, and White, who was the defensive coordinator at UK from 2018-15, as Florida will drop its fourth straight game in Lexington.

Game 11: Florida 38, Vanderbilt 21

Senior Day at The Swamp will end with Florida celebrating a win to post its first winning SEC record since 2020. Baugh will record another monster game to lift UF to the win as Florida will finish the game with close to 300 yards rushing.

Game 12: Florida 34, Florida State 13

Sumrall will get off on the right foot in the Florida-Florida State rivalry as the Gators will pull away from the 'Noles in the second half of the Black Friday matchup in Tallahassee.

Philo will throw for three TD passes and UF's defense will force three turnovers to lift the Gators to their third straight win in the series.

Final Record: 8-4

SEC Record: 5-4

Bowl Destination: Reliaquest Bowl, Tampa vs. Iowa

Florida football 2026 schedule

Sept 5 − Florida Atlantic, 7:45 p.m., SEC Network

Sept 12 − Campbell, 5:30 p.m., SEC Network Plus

Sept. 19 − at Auburn, 7 p.m., ESPN

Sept. 26 − Ole Miss, 3:30-4:30 p.m. or 6-8 p.m., TV TBD

Oct. 3 − at Missouri, 3:30-4:30 p.m. or 6-8 p.m., TV TBD

Oct. 10 − South Carolina, 12-1 p.m., TV TBD

Oct. 17 − at Texas, 12-1 p.m., TV TBD

Oct. 31 − Georgia (Atlanta,) 3:30 p.m., ABC

Nov. 7 − Oklahoma, 3:30-4:30 p.m. or 6-8 p.m., TV TBD

Nov. 14 − at Kentucky, 6-8 p.m., TV TBD

Nov. 21 − Vanderbilt, 12-1 p.m., TV TBD

Nov. 27 − at Florida State, 3:30 p.m., ABC

Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida football score predictions for every game on the 2026 schedule