Florida State’s 2026 regular-season finale will come with plenty at stake, regardless of where the Seminoles stand in the ACC standings or what the future holds for coach Mike Norvell.
For FSU, ending a two-game losing streak to in-state rival Florida and reclaiming bragging rights will be enough motivation. The rivalry showdown is set for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff at Doak Campbell Stadium and will be televised by ABC.
By late November, the Seminoles should have a clearer picture of the trajectory of their program heading into 2027. Florida, meanwhile, will be in the early stages of a new era under first-year coach Jon Sumrall.
Here’s a closer look at the Gators.
Head coach: Jon Sumrall
Sumrall enters his first season at Florida after replacing Billy Napier, who was dismissed following a 4-8 campaign. Florida hired Sumrall on Nov. 30, 2025, after he guided Tulane to an 11-3 season and further established himself as one of the rising coaches in college football.
Sumrall owns a 43-12 record as a head coach. He led Troy to Sun Belt Conference championships in 2022 and 2023 and later guided Tulane to an AAC title. During those championship seasons, his teams consistently competed near the top of their conferences, losing only one league game each year.
Before becoming a head coach, Sumrall built his reputation on the defensive side of the ball. A former Kentucky linebacker, he served as the Wildcats’ linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator after beginning his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater.
His coaching stops also include San Diego, where he held multiple roles including defensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator and special teams coordinator. He later coached at Tulane, Troy and Ole Miss before returning to Kentucky and eventually landing head coaching opportunities at Troy and Tulane.
Last meeting
Florida defeated Florida State 40-21 on Nov. 29, 2025.
Key returning players
Offense
Defense
Key losses
Offense
Defense
Key additions
Offense
Defense
Outlook
Florida enters 2026 with one of the more intriguing roster transitions in the SEC. Sumrall inherits a team with proven talent in the front seven and a workhorse running back in Jadan Baugh, but replacing quarterback DJ Lagway and several key offensive contributors will be the biggest challenge.
The Gators addressed those concerns aggressively through the transfer portal, adding quarterback Aaron Philo and several experienced skill-position players who are familiar with Buster Faulkner’s system. How quickly those pieces come together under a new coaching staff will likely determine whether Florida can contend in the SEC or spend the season navigating growing pains.
For Florida State, the matchup presents one final opportunity to make a statement before entering the offseason. The Seminoles have dropped the last two meetings to the Gators, and ending that skid at home would provide momentum heading into 2027. Regardless of records, rankings or coaching speculation, Florida-FSU remains one of college football’s most important rivalry games, and this year’s edition should once again carry plenty of significance for both programs.
Florida State 2026 schedule
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics and Big Bend Preps for the Tallahassee Democrat. If you like to pitch a story on a high school athlete, don’t hesitate to get in touch with him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida State vs. Florida: Early look at Gators in 2026 finale
Reporting by Peter Holland Jr., Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Peter Holland Jr., Tallahassee Democrat | USA TODAY Network
