Florida’s second win of the 2026 season was enough to keep the Gators moving in the right direction, even if they still landed just outside the top 25 in USA TODAY Sports’ latest re-rank.
After Saturday’s 52-3 rout of Campbell in the Swamp, Florida climbed five spots in Paul Myerberg’s Week 2 rankings and checked in at No. 26 among all 138 FBS teams. That puts the Gators between No.
25 James Madison and No. 27 Arizona.
The performance against Campbell gave Florida a cleaner look on the scoreboard, but the article noted there are still issues to sort out before SEC play begins. Even so, the win pointed to a team with the potential to be something special.
The SEC remains heavily represented in the top 25, with nine league teams making the cut. Texas leads the way at No. 1, followed by Georgia at No.
3, LSU at No. 7 and Texas A&M at No. 9.
Ole Miss sits at No. 11, Alabama at No.
12, Tennessee at No. 14, Missouri at No. 22 and Oklahoma at No.
Florida’s next test comes on the road, where the Gators open SEC play against Auburn on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET, and the game will air on ESPN.
SEC schools in USA TODAY Sports' Week 2 rerank
Texas (No. 1)
Georgia (No. 3)
LSU (No. 7)
Texas A&M (No. 9)
Ole Miss (No. 11)
Alabama (No. 12)
Tennessee (No. 14)
Missouri (No. 22)
Oklahoma (No. 24)
Florida (No. 26)
Auburn (No. 36)
Vanderbilt (No. 38)
South Carolina (No. 42)
Mississippi State (No. 45)
Kentucky (No. 93)
Arkansas (No. 107)
In Other News...
Jadan Baugh Just Became Auburns Biggest Florida Concern
Florida heads into its SEC opener with a little momentum and a chance to start 3-0 for the first time since 2019, but the early conversation around Auburn has already centered on one Gators player. Auburn defensive coordinator DJ Durkin singled out running back Jadan Baugh as a major offensive threat, a sign that the Tigers are spending plenty of time on the back who has given Florida a reliable edge on the ground.
Baugh has been one of the more encouraging parts of the Gators' attack in recent seasons and again this fall, and there is still room for his role to expand. Under new offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, Florida has not fully tapped into what Baugh can do in the passing game, which only adds another layer to a matchup Auburn already has reason to monitor closely. [Read more 🡒]
Florida's SEC Opener Comes Down To One Dangerous Auburn Threat
Auburns trip to face Florida brings a familiar sort of SEC problem, the kind that can turn a clean defensive plan into a scramble in a hurry. Ahead of the matchup, Jon Sumrall pointed to quarterback Byrum Brown as the player who most changes the shape of the game, praising how much more polished and confident Brown has become as a dual-threat option with real experience in the offense.
Brown has already piled up production through the air and on the ground this season, and that blend is what makes him so difficult to pin down. He can extend plays, stress a defense from the pocket or break structure altogether, which means Floridas opener is not just about handling Auburns scheme but about finding a way to keep one dangerous quarterback from dictating it. [Read more 🡒]
Floridas Young Depth Suddenly Looks Hard To Keep Off The Field
Floridas 52-3 win over Campbell was the kind of lopsided game that can easily blur together on the schedule, but it also offered a clearer look at just how much young talent is pushing for more snaps. Dallas Wilson stood out with five catches for 104 yards and a touchdown, while Lagonza Hayward made his limited reps count with five tackles. Add in freshman Stive-Bentley Keumajou Yondui flashing promise in his own brief work, and there was enough on film to suggest this wasnt just a depth-chart tune-up.
Coach Jon Sumrall sounded encouraged by what he saw from that group, and for Florida that matters beyond one comfortable win. Young players can disappear on a day when the score gets out of hand, but these Gators had several freshmen and reserves making cases to stay in the rotation. The bigger question now is whether those flashes turn into something more meaningful once the competition tightens and the staff has to decide who can no longer be kept on the sideline. [Read more 🡒]