After evaluating schedules and newly launched depth charts, USA TODAY Sports activities predicted data for all 138 FBS packages final week.

Faculty sports activities reporter Paul Myerberg and deputy editor Ramon Padilla have the Texas Longhorns successful the SEC, whereas the Georgia Bulldogs are projected to complete No. 2 within the convention; sitting a tier beneath the favorites are Oklahoma and Alabama. The outlet goes on to say Ole Miss, Texas A&M and LSU are “particular playoff contenders.”

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Florida is notably neglected of the elite group of SEC squads. Regardless of first-year head coach Jon Sumrall producing loads of preseason buzz, the Gators have been unable to crack the group of CFP playoff challengers. Nationwide expectations stay modest for Jadan Baugh and firm, permitting UF to push by way of this mediocre outlook and grow to be certainly one of school soccer’s shock groups in 2026.

The Gators play 4 of the seven SEC foes USA TODAY Sports activities slates forward of them of their rankings: Ole Miss and Oklahoma go to Gainesville, whereas the Gators journey to Austin for his or her Oct. 17 date with Texas and play Georgia in Atlanta on Oct. 31.

In line with ESPN’s Week 0 Soccer Energy Index, the Gators have sufficient expertise to make any convention matchup a formidable one. At No. 17 with 6.7 estimated wins, Florida is a staff that may match up properly with the superior SEC competitors. 247Sports’ expertise rankings help this level, rating the Gators No. 12.

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This text initially appeared on Gators Wire: USA TODAY Sports activities leaves Florida exterior SEC’s prime contenders in 2026