Things have started strong in 2026 for the Florida Gators, who have won their first two games of the season for the first time since 2021 after blowing out FAU and Campbell, respectively, in the first two weeks of play. While the opposition has not been particularly formidable, the program already appears to be in better shape than the past four years.
Those victories have been good enough for ESPN's staff to include the Orange and Blue on its college football power rankings, which have Florida at No. 22 this week — up two spots from the first regular-season update last week.
"The Gators are far better coached on offense and special teams through two games under new coach Jon Sumrall. The improvement in special teams is especially stark, considering
that had been a recurring issue under former coach Billy Napier," senior writer Andrea Adelson begins.
"Watching Vernell Brown III return two punts for touchdowns in a 52-3 win over Campbell only proved that point. Brown joined Jacquez Green in 1996 as the only players in school history to return back-to-back punts for touchdowns. His 173 total punt return yards set a program record for single-game punt return yardage.
"Brown also added a receiving touchdown, Dallas Wilson had 104 yards receiving and a score, and Jadan Baugh rushed for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Florida scored more than 50 points in consecutive games to start the season for the first time since 2009."
Eight other teams were included in this week's power rankings, headlined by top-ranked Texas, followed by Georgia (No. 4), LSU (No. 5), Texas A&M (No. 8) and Ole Miss (No. 9) in the top 10. Alabama (No. 11), Tennessee (No. 15) and Missouri (No. 21) also join Florida (No. 22) on the list of 25 schools.
ESPN's college football power rankings after Week 2
- Texas Longhorns
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Miami Hurricanes
- Georgia Bulldogs
- LSU Tigers
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- Indiana Hoosiers
- Texas A&M Aggies
- Ole Miss Rebels
- USC Trojans
- Alabama Crimson Tide
- BYU Cougars
- Texas Tech Red Raiders
- Penn State Nittany Lions
- Tennessee Volunteers
- SMU Mustangs
- Utah Utes
- Oregon Ducks
- Virginia Cavaliers
- Michigan Wolverines
- Missouri Tigers
- Florida Gators
- Iowa Hawkeyes
- Washington Huskies
- Houston Cougars
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida inches up ESPN's college football power rankings after Week 2 win
