{
  "id": 3740017,
  "title": "A game-by-game look at the Gators’ football schedule",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/a-game-by-game-look-at-the-gators-football-schedule",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-27T13:02:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/game-game-look-gators-football-130200567.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "September 5th: Florida Atlantic Football Game\nThe Owls and Gators face off on September 5th at 7:45 p.m. in a matchup where the Owls boast an impressive offense led by head coach Zach Kittley, who is just 34 years old and the youngest head coach in the nation. Despite FAU's impressive 340.2 passing yards last season, they also tied for the national lead with 20 interceptions. However, Florida's defense, which allowed a program-record 36.3 points per game, may provide little resistance.\n\nSeptember 12th: Campbell Prep Game\nOn September 12th, the Gators will play the Fighting Camels in a tune-up game before SEC play. Campbell, an FCS member, has a history of serving as Florida's final warm-up game, averaging just 23.5 points and surrendering 37.2 points per game in their 2025 season.\n\nSeptember 19th: Auburn Home Game\nAuburn, a once-proud program struggling with adversity, will host the Gators at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 19th at 7 p.m. Alex Golesh, who arrived at Auburn from USF after a successful season, will be coaching the Tigers. Auburn defeated the Gators 49-17 in the Swamp in 2025, marking a significant setback for the Gators' program.\n\nSeptember 26th: Ole Miss Home Game\nOle Miss, a College Football Playoff contender, will bring their star-studded offense to Gainesville on September 26th. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and All-SEC tailback Kewan Lacy will lead the Rebels in a game that will test Jon Sumrall's defense, which may struggle against the Rebels' potent passing attack.\n\nOctober 3rd: Missouri Away Game\nThe Gators will travel to Columbia on October 3rd to face Missouri at the Memorial Stadium. The Jaguars have experienced a successful rebuilding process under head coach Eli Drinkwitz, but the Gators must slow down SEC rushing champion Ahmad Hardy and force former Florida commit Austin Simmons to perform against them.\n\nOctober 10th: South Carolina Home Game\nSouth Carolina, led by new head coach Shane Beamer in his sixth season, takes on Florida on October 10th. The Gamecocks boast a dynamic trio of quarterback LaNorris Sellers, receiver Nyck Harbor, and edge rusher Dylan Stewart, making this matchup challenging for the Gators.\n\nOctober 17th: Texas Away Game\nThe Gators will face Texas on October 17th at the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, an opponent that last defeated Florida with a 49-17 score in 2025. With Texas's quarterback Arch Manning leading the offense, this game could prove to be Florida's most difficult challenge of the 2026 season.\n\nOctober 31st: Georgia Away Game\nThe Bulldogs will host Florida on November 1st at the Georgia State Stadium, where Georgia has held a significant home-field advantage since 2019. With Jacksonville's EverBank Stadium under renovation, Georgia will enjoy a decided home-court advantage in this rivalry game.\n\nNovember 7th: Oklahoma Away Game\nOklahoma, led by quarterback John Mateer who returned from a thumb injury, will bring one of the nation's top defenses to Gainesville for their first visit to the Swamp on November 7th. If Mateer can regain his form, Oklahoma could emerge as one of the SEC's most complete teams.\n\nNovember 14th: Kentucky Away Game\nKentucky, a team with which head coach Jon Sumrall has a personal connection, will host the Gators on November 14th. Sumrall, a former Kentucky linebacker, and his team will face the Wildcats in a game that carries sentimental value due to their recent struggles against Kentucky.\n\nNovember 20th: Vanderbilt Away Game\nVanderbilt, led by new head coach Clark Lea, will visit Gainesville on November 20th. With the Commodores having recently become a legitimate threat to the SEC standings after leading the nation in 10-win seasons, Florida will face a formidable opponent in this matchup.",
  "summary": ": vs. Florida Atlantic, 7:45 p.m., TV TBD: The Owls are 0-4 against Florida, but the offense of Zach Kittley, just 34 and the nation’s youngest head coach, could test the Gators’ defense. In 2025, Kittley’s first season, FAU averaged a nation-leading 340.2 passing yards, but also tied for the national lead with 20 interceptions. Meanwhile, Florida should encounter little resistance from ...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}