Florida Gators move to No. 8 in AP and Coaches polls after Ole Miss win
- 8 in both the AP Top 25 and the Coaches Poll on September 27, 2026, following a 52-28 victory over Ole Miss.
- Florida's ascent to the top 10 comes after four weeks of the 2026 campaign.
- The Gators' movement in the AP Top 25 shows a steady upward trajectory over the first month of the season.
The Florida Gators moved to No. 8 in both the AP Top 25 and the Coaches Poll on September 27, 2026, following a 52-28 victory over Ole Miss. The climb marks a significant shift for a team that began the season unranked and entered the AP poll last week at No. 21.
Florida’s ascent to the top 10 comes after four weeks of the 2026 campaign. Under head coach Jon Sumrall, the Gators hold a 4-0 record, their first such start since 2019. The team’s recent performance includes a win over Ole Miss, which was previously ranked No. 4 in the nation.
Florida’s Rapid Rise in National Rankings
The Gators’ movement in the AP Top 25 shows a steady upward trajectory over the first month of the season. The team opened the season listed 27th overall, placing second in the “others receiving votes” category. After debuting in the actual poll at No. 21 last week, the team jumped 13 spots to reach No. 8 in the September 20 AP poll.
The Coaches Poll reflects a similar trend. Florida entered the Coaches Poll in Week 2 and surged 14 spots in seven days to secure the No. 8 position as of September 27.
Offensive Performance and Key Personnel
The team’s success is driven by what is described as the second-best offense in program history. This unit is led by offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner and junior quarterback Aaron Philo.
Junior running back Jadan Baugh has emerged as a central figure in the offense and is currently considered a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender.
SEC Competition and Remaining Schedule
Florida is one of 10 SEC teams currently featured in the rankings. The Gators’ 2026 schedule was originally set to include five AP Top 25 opponents, four of whom were in the top 10. This represents two fewer ranked opponents than the team faced during the opening of the 2025 season.
Despite the early success, the schedule remains challenging. Florida has four ranked SEC opponents left to play, including the top two teams in the nation. A critical road game against No. 1 Texas is scheduled in three weeks.
Current Top 10
The current rankings place Florida among a highly competitive group of elite programs. According to the September 20 AP Top 25, the top five teams are Texas, Georgia, Notre Dame, Miami (FL), and Ohio State. Florida sits at No. 8, just ahead of Ole Miss, which fell to No. 9 following the loss to the Gators.
The September 27 Coaches Poll shows a slightly different order, with Indiana at No. 5 and Ohio State at No. 6, while Florida maintains its No. 8 ranking.