Florida football opens the new season under head coach Jon Sumrall when it hosts Florida Atlantic University (FAU) at The Swamp on Saturday, Sept. 5. Both programs are coming off 4-8 seasons from the previous year, setting a high-stakes tone for this Week 1 matchup in Gainesville.
Sumrall Era Begins with Sellout Crowd
Hired on Nov. 30, 2025, to revive a program that has endured four losing seasons in the last five years, Sumrall brings new staff including former Georgia Tech offensive coordinator Buster Faulker and former Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White. The anticipation is palpable as Florida aims for its first SEC championship since 2008.
"This fan base is passionate," Sumrall said. "Championships are the standard and expectation. We’ve got to get it back there. We’ve got to wake this beast up."
Game Details and Streaming Options
The game will be broadcast nationally on SEC Network, with Matt Schumacker and Aaron Murray calling from the booth and Taylor Davis working the sidelines. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. ET at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (The Swamp), which has a capacity of approximately 88,548.
For those unable to watch on traditional cable or satellite, streaming options include ESPN+ and Fubo TV. New subscribers can utilize a free trial for Fubo to catch the live action from Florida's home field.
Owls Pose Offensive Threat
FAU enters the contest under second-year coach Zach Kittley with significant offensive firepower. The Owls return starting quarterback Caden Veltkamp, who threw 35 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in 2025 for over 3,641 yards. They also feature standout receiver Easton Messer, who recorded 104 catches for 1,052 yards last season, a story we covered in Florida Gators Preview.
Florida holds a perfect 4-0 all-time record against FAU, including a 35-14 victory in the most recent meeting on Sept. 4, 2021. The current game is already announced as a sellout, marking the 19th straight home game to reach that milestone.
Betting Odds and Expectations
Odds from BetMGM favor Florida heavily at -5000 against FAU's +1800. The spread sits at Florida -26.5, with an over/under of 58.5 points. Predictions suggest the Gators will establish the run early and rely on quarterback Philo to throw three touchdown passes in his debut.
