With Week 0 officially here, preseason rankings continue to form baselines of where teams are starting ahead of the new season.
The Athletic's final preseason 138-team FBS rankings provide just that. For Florida, which lands at No. 31, the ranking provides an early indication of what's to come in Jon Sumrall's first season as head coach.
The Gators begin a new era under Sumrall, who took over after Florida missed a bowl game in 2025. Despite the poor finish, the program was able to retain several of its top players, giving the first-year head coach a foundation to work with in his debut season in Gainesville.
The program answered one of its biggest questions, naming Aaron Philo as its starting quarterback, but as with all first-time starters, there
will be growing pains. Philo and offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner both arrive from Georgia Tech, where they previously worked together. How the two gel will be pivotal throughout Florida's season.
Sumrall, meanwhile, brings a proven track record of success to Gainesville. The new Florida coach has won three conference championships in four seasons as a head coach and has been to the College Football Playoff.
With a talented roster, a new coaching staff, and several key pieces returning, Sumrall and Florida will have an opportunity to move up the rankings once the season gets underway.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Where Florida football ranks among the nations 138 FBS teams
