Florida Just Gave Auburn Fans A Painful Reminder Before SEC Opener

La'Mical Perine returns to the spotlight, narrating a fierce hype video as Florida prepares for a pivotal SEC opener against Auburn.

La’Mical Perine is back in the Florida-Auburn conversation, and this time his voice is setting the tone.

The former Gators back, who once ripped off an 88-yard touchdown run against Auburn in the 2019 meeting in Gainesville, narrated a dramatic Florida hype video released Friday night ahead of the trip to the Plains. The post carried the headline, “Now it’s time to go,” along with a popcorn emoji, and Perine’s voice carried fans through a highlight-heavy look at the SEC rivalry between two familiar names.

Perine’s 2019 performance still stands out in Gainesville lore. He finished that game with 130 rushing yards on 14 carries, punctuated by the fourth-quarter scoring burst that helped Florida hold off Auburn 24-13. He also added 4 catches for 15 yards.

This year’s matchup comes with a different feel, even if the stakes still carry plenty of weight. Florida and Auburn will kick off at about 7 p.m. ET on ESPN, with the Gators listed as a slight favorite despite having to deal with Auburn on its home field.

The 2019 showdown featured two top-10 teams. Saturday night’s version is a meeting of unranked squads, though both enter at 2-0 and both are working under new head coaches. It also lands in Week 3, which gives the SEC opener an extra jolt of energy.

As Florida and Auburn get ready for Jordan-Hare Stadium, Gators fans have Perine’s old run to lean on - and now a fresh hype video to go with it.

In Other News...

Tebow Sends Florida Fans A Clear Signal Before Auburn Test

Tim Tebow is already making clear what he thinks of Floridas new direction, and hes not hiding his enthusiasm for Jon Sumrall. The former Gators quarterback and current SEC Network analyst has been vocal in backing the first-year head coach ahead of Floridas SEC opener against Auburn, pointing to the kind of presence and personality he believes matter in Gainesville.

Sumralls start has given Florida some early momentum at 2-0, but the trip to Auburn will offer a much sharper measure of where this team stands. Tebows praise centered on Sumralls character and coaching potential, with the confidence and charisma he brings to the job standing out as the traits that can help him win over a demanding fan base if the results keep coming. [Read more 🡒]

Auburn Gets An Early Test That Could Change How Fans View This Start

Week 3 brings a familiar kind of September pressure in the SEC, where one early test can quickly reshape how a start is judged. The slate includes games with plenty of ripple effects, from Auburn stepping into a matchup that could alter the way its opening weeks are viewed to broader conference storylines touching Florida State, Mississippi State, South Carolina and Ole Miss.

For Florida fans keeping an eye on the league race, this is the part of the schedule where first impressions can harden fast. A win or loss in one of these spotlight games can change the conversation around rankings, coaches and quarterbacks alike, and Auburns chance to answer a real challenge may end up carrying more weight than it seems on paper. [Read more 🡒]

Todd Golden Just Gave Florida One More Preseason Test

Floridas preseason tune-up list just got a little longer, with Todd Golden adding a second exhibition game before the Gators tip off for real. After already lining up their fall preparation, Florida will now host Stetson on Oct. 27 at the OConnell Center, giving the roster one more chance to settle in front of a home crowd before the games start counting.

The matchup will be available on SEC Network+ and the Gators Sports Network, another sign that Florida is treating the preseason like more than a formality. It also fits into a broader schedule that is now taking shape for 2026-27, with dates, opponents and broadcast notes beginning to come into focus as Golden continues mapping out the road ahead. [Read more 🡒]