The big day for Florida football is quickly approaching as the Gators prepare for their 2026 season opener against the FAU Owls this Saturday in the Swamp. Ahead of the opening salvo of the Jon Sumrall era, the latest betting lines from BetMGM have seen a slight shift in the spread, dropping from 27.5 to 26.5 points.
The good news for the Gator Nation is that Sumrall's squad appears to be in good health heading into the fall campaign.
“We’re pretty healthy,” Sumrall said in his Week 1 press conference. “The injury report is pretty positive in regard to having pretty much everybody ready to go.”
Florida's depth chart for the season-opener vs FAU
The two schools have met four times prior on the collegiate gridiron — all in Gainesville — with the Orange
and Blue undefeated so far in the Sunshine State series. 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 Tuesday's updated betting lines for the fifth meeting between the Gators and Owls.
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Florida vs. FAU odds, money line, over/under
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, Aug. 31
- 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
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)
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida vs FAU predictions, picks: Tuesday odds for 2026 season opener
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