The big day is finally here as Florida football opens up the 2026 campaign by hosting the FAU Owls in the Swamp on Saturday. The betting odds from BetMGM have remained static for most of the week — take a look below at where they stand with just hours remaining until the opening kickoff.
Jon Sumrall will make his head coaching debut at the helm of the Orange and Blue as the Gator Nation looks to turn the page on the previous Billy Napier era. First-year Florida head coaches have gone a combined 18-6 across 24 debuts, punctuated by an active eight-game winning streak.
Aaron Philo beat out Tramell Jones Jr. for the starting quarterback role, while running back Jadan Baugh and a trio of talented wide receivers — Vernell Brown III, Eric Singleton
Jr. and Dallas Wilson — should lead the offense. Myles Graham and Ben Hanks Jr. headline the defensive corps as new coordinator Brad White and his 3-4 scheme will be tested by a team that frequently throws the ball.
The two schools have met four times prior on the collegiate gridiron — all in Gainesville — with the Orange and Blue undefeated so far. The last time Florida and FAU faced off was for the 2021 season opener inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, where the home team prevailed, 35-14.
Take a look below at Saturday's latest betting lines for the fifth meeting between the Gators and Owls.
Stream Florida vs. FAU with Fubo free trial
Florida vs. FAU odds, moneyline, over/under
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Saturday, Sept. 5
- Moneyline: +1800 / -5000
- Spread: Florida by 26.5
- Over/under: 59.5
Florida vs. FAU college football game information
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 5
- Time: 7:45 p.m. ET
- Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
Florida vs. FAU predictions, picks for college football
Gators Wire's predictions, picks for Florida's Week 1 matchup vs FAU
Sumrall and Co. will be looking to come out strong to open the season; Florida will not pull any punches despite an overmatched opponent. There will be plenty of rust to shake off, plus the growing pains that come with a new coaching staff, so it is unlikely to be completely smooth sailing.
Aaron Philo will make some good plays and Tramell Jones Jr. will likely take some snaps too, but expect Jadan Baugh to carry the brunt of the offense on his preseason All-SEC shoulders.
The defense should handle the Owls with little difficulty and should use this opportunity to coalesce as a corps. It will also be interesting to see how a mostly revamped special teams unit performs.
PREDICTION: Florida 38, FAU 13
Florida football's 2026 schedule
- Sept. 5: Florida Atlantic (7:15 p.m. ET)
- Sept. 12: Campbell (5:30 p.m. ET)
- Sept. 19: at Auburn (7 p.m. ET)
- Sept. 28: Ole Miss (TBD)
- Oct. 3: at Missouri (TBD)
- Oct. 10: South Carolina (TBD)
- Oct. 17: at Texas (TBD)
- Oct. 31: Georgia (3:30 p.m. ET)
- Nov. 7: Oklahoma (TBD)
- Nov. 14: at Kentucky (TBD)
- Nov. 21: Vanderbilt (TBD)
- Nov. 27: at FSU (3:30 p.m. ET)
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida vs FAU predictions, picks: gameday odds for 2026 season opener
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.
Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
Prediction Markets: Certain prediction markets are event contracts regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) or other applicable regulatory authorities and are legally distinct from traditional gambling and sports betting. Eligibility requirements to participate in prediction markets differ from those for sports betting and gambling — you may be required to be 18 or older (or such other age as the applicable platform requires) and to satisfy other eligibility criteria established by the relevant platform and governing law. Prediction market trading involves financial risk and may not be available in all jurisdictions. The legal and regulatory status of prediction markets varies by jurisdiction and by platform. It is your sole responsibility to confirm that participation is lawful where you reside and to comply with all applicable laws and platform terms.
