Florida enters the 2026 season under first-year head coach Jon Sumrall, who arrives from Tulane with a track record of rapid program turnarounds and has assembled a new staff featuring offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner and defensive coordinator Brad White. The Gators return significant production after a 4-8 campaign in 2025, bolstered by transfer portal additions and a solid recruiting class, though nine starters departed for the NFL. Projections from ESPN FPI and other models center around 6.5–7.5 wins, reflecting a tough schedule that includes multiple ranked SEC opponents and a high strength-of-schedule ranking. Key variables include how quickly the roster adapts to new schemes, health along the lines, and performance in non-conference games that could set the tone for conference play.