Florida vs. FAU: 5 Storylines to Watch in 2026 Season Opener
Florida fans have spent over nine months preparing for the upcoming 2026 season after Jon Sumrall was announced as the new head coach in late November. Now, as game day unfolds, a long list of questions from fans start to reveal answers after Saturday’s season opener Saturday against Florida Atlantic.
Those same fans will get their first real look at a team that has undergone significant changes since last season. From returning faces to new strategies, there’s plenty to pay attention to as the Gators take the field for the first time under the Sumrall era.
Aaron Philo Steps into the Spotlight
Philo was announced as QB1 for FAU during Sumrall’s press conference in the final week of training camp on Aug. 24. Despite emphasizing that the competition between Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. would continue throughout the season, Philo has a chance to prove if this decision was the right one.
Philo comes from Georgia Tech as a junior entering his first season with the Gators. In his first two years in Atlanta, Philo played in eight total games, starting just one. During that time, he completed 59 of 102 passes for 938 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Notably, Philo arrives in Florida after playing under offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner’s system at Georgia Tech. With Faulkner also making the move to Gainesville, their familiarity with one another could be a valuable advantage heading into a season with a new coaching staff and roster.
The quarterback has also received high praise from several teammates, including Vernell Brown III and Jadan Baugh, both of whom identified leadership as one of Philo’s strengths – an area that may have been lacking from last year’s roster.
“The thing I like about Philo the most is just his leadership and how he commands the offense,” Brown said. “You can go to him about anything and ask him any question. He knows it. He puts the ball where it needs to be when it needs to be there.”
Philo’s transition into the starting role will be one of Florida’s first tests as the season continues.
Run the Baugh … Again?
Jadan Baugh has been one of the most hyped Florida players in the preseason, if not the most. He earned an extensive list of preseason honors including spots on CBS Sports and ESPN’s First-Team Preseason All-American Running Back teams as well as appearances on the Doak Walker, Paul Hornung Award, and Maxwell Award Watch Lists.
Baugh started all 12 games in the 2025 season and his production elevated him into conversations regarding his rank among the best running back in college football. The junior led Florida in rushing yards (1,170), rushing attempts (220), rushing touchdowns (8) and total touchdowns (10). Baugh also became the third underclassmen in program history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, joining a club occupied only by Emmitt Smith and Errict Rhett.
It’s safe to say, he comes into the upcoming season with a storm of expectations but doesn’t seem bothered.
Baugh discussed his preparation for the fall Thursday. Asked about his skill set on the field, he kept his response simple, delivering it with a smile.
“Y’all will see,” Baugh said.
Baugh’s consistency has never been much of a question, but with a new quarterback and offensive coordinator in place, how that chemistry translates to the field will be worth watching.
New Faces, New Approach
In one of the larger changes from the prior season, Florida officially has an offensive coordinator in place. Buster Faulkner comes to Florida after serving as Georgia Tech’s offensive coordinator for the past three seasons. He has 14 years of experience in the position, along with three years at Georgia as an offensive quality control coach, where he was part of two national championship teams. He also spent two years at Valdosta State, where he helped the program win a Division II national title in 2007 as a quarterback coach.
Although Faulkner has coaching experience in the SECe, this will be his first season serving as an offensive coordinator in the SEC. Still, he has approached the new role with confidence. His prior connection with Philo will also likely be beneficial for the team.
Defensive Coordinator Brad White also enters his first season with Florida after spending the previous eight seasons as Kentucky’s defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach. During his time at Kentucky, White helped the program produce seven consecutive top-45 Football Bowl Subdivision defenses from 2018-2024, including four top-25 finishes in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022.
One of White’s biggest strengths is his extensive experience coaching defense in the SEC. Much of what White’s defense will look like has remained a mystery heading into the season. While emphasizing flexibility as a core value for the team, White remained vague during Wednesday’s press conference about what specifically the defense would look like Saturday.
“We’ll see Saturday,” he said.
See, we will. Saturday will give both coordinators a taste of what their players look like in a live game and will show the fans what the new coaching staff has to offer as the season progresses.
Can the Defense Set the Tone?
Florida’s defense will get its first chance to show what it can do under new defensive coordinator Brad White when the Gators take on FAU this Saturday. Florida’s defense inherited several key contributors from last season, including Myles Graham, Brendan Bett, Bryce Thornton and Dijon Johnson. Florida has depth across the front seven, which gives White a variety of options to keep the group ready to go this Saturday and throughout the season.
Bett said the defense has a clear goal entering the weekend.
“The main model for our defense is to be the most feared,” he said in August. “So regardless of what that is, in coverage and run stopping, pass rushing, whatever it is, we want to just be the most feared.”
Saturday will provide an immediate test. FAU quarterback Caden Veltkamp threw for over 3,000 yards and 24 touchdowns last season, meaning Florida’s defense will have to work hard to avoid giving up big plays. How the Gators handle the Owls’ offense and whether Florida can create pressure from the start could be an early indicator of what their defense is capable of.
Sumrall on the Sidelines
Sitting as one of the more anticipated parts of the game tomorrow is simply Sumrall on the field. Florida fans have heard him discuss his excitement for the season over and over, they’ve watched him exhibit his spirited personality to the media, and they’ve seen flashes of his coaching during fall camp and April’s spring game.
Now, Sumrall will experience Ben Hill Griffin Stadium under the bright lights for the first time in orange and blue. In turn, The Swamp will finally see him in his element and on their side.
In Monday’s press conference, Sumrall made sure to emphasize that Saturday’s game wasn’t about him.
“Monday through Friday, those are my days,” he said. “Saturday’s the player’s day. I can’t wait to watch them play on Saturday night.”
That makes the season opener about more than just witnessing Sumrall’s reactions as he moves up and down the sidelines. It’ll be the first chance to see how he manages the team when the game gets going – how he responds to adversity, interacts with leading players and handles his first game as head coach in the SEC.
If his success at Tulane is any indication, there likely won’t be much standing still.
Category: Feature Sports News, Gator Sports, Gators Football
