The Florida Gators are off to their hottest start this decade and the college football world is quickly taking note of Jon Sumrall's success early on in his debut campaign.
Among those whose attention has been caught by the surging Gators is the head coach of the nation's top-ranked team, the Texas Longhorns. Steve Sarkisian has believed in the Orange and Blue since last season and is not at all surprised by what Sumrall and Co. have achieved so far.
"They were on my card," Sarkisian told reporters Sept. 28. "I tried to tell you guys about Florida last year. No one wanted to believe me. They got real players in Gainesville, and they're a good football team, and they've kind of figured it out."
Of course, Florida beat Texas last season in the Swamp
— a result that cost the Longhorns a spot in the College Football Playoff — so that probably influenced Sarkisian's opinion. However, the Gators are turning heads across the SEC and increasingly look like a team capable of making a CFP run.
Entering Week 5, Florida checks in at No. 8 in the US LBM Coaches Poll and the AP Top 25, marking their highest ranking on both ballots since 2021. The Gators have also entered many CFP projections for the first time since the playoff expanded to 12 teams.
Things are looking bright in Gainesville as September rolls into October. However, Florida faces a tough schedule this coming month, starting with a road trip to face No. 25 Missouri followed by a homecoming game against South Carolina.
The real challenge will be back-to-back games against Texas and second-ranked Georgia, with a bye sandwiched in between to give the team a breather. If the Gators survive the upcoming schedule gauntlet, they have a clear path to an SEC title and an appearance in the playoff.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: 'I tried to tell you guys about Florida': Sarkisian praises Gators
