A little more than a month stands between now and the start of Florida football's 2026 campaign. As a new era dawns in the Swamp with the arrival of Jon Sumrall and his hand-picked staff, the Gator Nation is feeling positive heading into the program's 114th season.
However, once again the Orange and Blue face one of the toughest schedules in the nation — particularly after the SEC expanded its conference slate to nine games — checking in at No. 7 in ESPN's 2026 preseason rankings. The Gators are looking to bounce back from a 4-8 finish last season, but like in recent years, it will not be easy.
Which brings us to the current topic at hand: ranking Florida's opponents for this coming season in order of difficulty from easiest to toughest. Sumrall and Co. will face one FCS team — the Campbell Fighting Camels — in Week 2 and the FAU Owls — an American Athletic Conference member — in Week 1. Otherwise, the schedule is packed with challenging conference opponents, as well as an FSU Seminoles squad that is also seeking to improve from last season.
Below is a look at all 12 opponents that the Gators will face this fall, ranked in order of their Football Power Index ratings; Florida checks in at No. 18 in the FPI with a 13.6 rating. Also included is each team's 2025 record as well as the all-time record between the two competing schools.
Here is how things pan out based on those parameters. Make note that each school's overall FPI ranking is included in parentheses.
#face #opponents #sumrall
However, once again the Orange and Blue face one of the toughest schedules in the nation — particularly after the SEC expanded its conference slate to nine games — checking in at No. 7 in ESPN's 2026 preseason rankings. The Gators are looking to bounce back from a 4-8 finish last season, but like in recent years, it will not be easy.
Which brings us to the current topic at hand: ranking Florida's opponents for this coming season in order of difficulty from easiest to toughest. Sumrall and Co. will face one FCS team — the Campbell Fighting Camels — in Week 2 and the FAU Owls — an American Athletic Conference member — in Week 1. Otherwise, the schedule is packed with challenging conference opponents, as well as an FSU Seminoles squad that is also seeking to improve from last season.
Below is a look at all 12 opponents that the Gators will face this fall, ranked in order of their Football Power Index ratings; Florida checks in at No. 18 in the FPI with a 13.6 rating. Also included is each team's 2025 record as well as the all-time record between the two competing schools.
Here is how things pan out based on those parameters. Make note that each school's overall FPI ranking is included in parentheses.
#face #opponents #sumrall
3 months ago
