Florida gets back to work Saturday night with Campbell coming to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for a Week 2 matchup in Gainesville.
The Gators and Fighting Camels have never met on the football field before, but this kind of game is nothing new for Florida. Saturday will be the 27th time since 1981 that the Gators have lined up against an FCS opponent. In those previous 26 games, Florida went 25-1, with the only loss coming against Georgia Southern in 2013.
If you’re trying to watch it, the game will air nationally on SEC Network+ on Saturday, Sept. 12, with Ted Emrich and Fozzy Whittaker on the call from inside the stadium. ESPN+ is also listed among the streaming options.
Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. ET from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida.
The betting line reflects a massive gap between the teams. According to FanDuel odds as of Saturday, Sept.
12, Florida is a 50.5-point favorite, with the over/under sitting at 65.5. The moneyline is listed as N/A.
From a football standpoint, the Gators enter this one coming off the offensive surge they showed in Week 1 against FAU. There are still things to clean up, especially on defense, but the early signs point in the right direction.
The bigger picture for Florida is what comes next. Sumrall and Co. are using Campbell as a tune-up before the SEC grind ramps up fast, starting with a road trip to Auburn in Week 3. That makes this a useful chance to tighten the screws before the schedule turns up the heat.
After the season-opening win over FAU, Jadan Baugh was highlighted for crossing 2,000 career rushing yards and earning offensive player of the game honors. Myles Graham was named defensive player of the game.
Florida’s opener also produced instant reactions, five key takeaways, and a rout of FAU that gave the Sumrall era a strong first impression.
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Floridas SEC Opener Just Got More Concerning For This Gators Playmaker
Eric Singletons status is giving Florida another issue to sort through as it heads into its SEC opener against Auburn. The Gators receiver has been limited in practice while working back from an ankle injury, and coach Jon Sumrall said he is not yet guaranteed to play. Singleton has already missed games because of the injury, leaving Florida without one of its pass-catching options as the league schedule begins to tighten.
A return for Auburn would obviously help, but the more realistic question is whether Singleton can be ready to contribute without being rushed. Florida is at least keeping alive the possibility that he could be back for the Ole Miss game on Sept. 26, which gives the Gators a little more time to manage the situation. For now, though, his availability is one of the more notable injury watch items hanging over the weekend. [Read more 🡒]
Eric Singleton Jr Brings Major Suspense To Floridas Auburn Test
Floridas preparation for Auburn has come with a dose of uncertainty, and it starts with Eric Singleton Jr. The receiver, who transferred to Gainesville from Auburn, has been sidelined by an ankle injury sustained in Week 1, and head coach Jon Sumrall said both Singleton and defensive lineman Emmanuel Oyebadejo were limited in practice this week. The encouraging part for Florida is that both players are out of their walking boots, a sign they are moving in the right direction as the Gators get closer to kickoff.
Still, the bigger question is whether either will actually be available when Florida lines up against Auburn. Sumrall called both questionable, which leaves the Gators waiting on two players who could affect the game in very different ways, especially Singleton against the school he just left. For a Florida team trying to sort out its lineup late in the week, the uncertainty is enough to keep this matchup feeling a little more tense than usual. [Read more 🡒]
Vernell Brown III Is Giving Florida A Dangerous New Weapon
Vernell Brown III gave Florida a jolt in Week 2 against Campbell, and not just because the Gators were able to cash in on a lopsided win. The freshman showed up in every phase he touched, turning two punt returns into touchdowns while also adding three catches for 43 yards and another score, a reminder that his value goes well beyond the return game.
What makes the performance more intriguing for Florida is the process behind it. Special teams coach Jon Sumrall pointed to analyst Greg McMahons new punt return strategy as part of the setup that helped Brown break loose, and Browns arrival in Gainesville already carried a bigger meaning, tied to his family legacy and the staffs vision for how he could be used. If this was the first glimpse of what that plan can look like, the Gators may have found a dangerous new weapon. [Read more 🡒]