Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators
- Former Florida Football Player Roundtable III
- Florida Football Preseason Superlatives
- Notebook: Depth chart released
- Post-Fall Camp Ranking of Florida position-by-position
Inside the Gators staffers Jackson Colding, Andres Rodriguez, and Mark Wheeler take a closer look at Saturday’s match-up between Florida and Florida Atlantic, including thoughts on what would be considered a successful weekend, UF’s biggest advantage, players to watch, as well as a score prediction.
What would be considered a successful opening week for Florida?
Colding: The bare minimum for Florida is to win the game and start 1-0. For the weekend to be viewed as a success, however, Florida will need to dominate on both sides of the ball. If Florida wins, but it’s a shootout, there will be justifiable concern about the defense. If Aaron Philo and the offense, specifically the offensive line, struggle, the concern will loom large with Auburn just two weeks away. Overall, the offense will need to be efficient and explosive for Florida fans to leave this game feeling like the team is heading in the right direction.
Rodriguez: A successful opening weekend for the Gators would be taking down the Owls convincingly. We all saw what happened against USF this same weekend last year, and Florida fans do not want that to happen again. Jon Sumrall will have his guys locked in and an exciting Florida defense will hope to shut down FAU’s air raid.
Wheeler: A successful weekend begins and ends with a win. That is the case regardless of what week it is or the opposition. However, when playing an opponent who is clearly seen as being overmatched, the expectation is that this one should come much more easily. When it comes to Florida, you have to wonder (and maybe even worry) about how 50 new players will adjust and come together. Having said all of that, you would feel a whole lot better about this weekend if Aaron Philo, the offensive line, and the secondary were to excel. If there are any struggles from that trio, there will be plenty of handwringing over the next couple of weeks before going on the road to face Auburn.
What are the biggest advantages and disadvantages for the Gators?
Colding: The biggest advantages for the Gators are on the defensive line and at wide receiver. The defensive line should be able to overpower the Owls’ offensive line, and the wide receivers should be able to get open against a non-conference opponent. A disadvantage for the Gators could be at offensive line, as the unit may not be at its full cohesion in game one. Since it is the first game, there will be some things to improve on, but the offensive line could take the first game to build its full chemistry.
Rodriguez: The Gators’ biggest advantages are the Fab Five. Jon Sumrall retaining Jayden Woods, Jaden Baugh, Vernell Brown III, Myles Graham, and Dallas Wilson already puts the Gators at a massive advantage over the Owls. However, the uncertainty over Aaron Philo is a big disadvantage. The junior transfer from Georgia Tech comes in with experience under Buster Faulkner, but the Swamp awaits Philo’s debut.
Wheeler: The two biggest advantages for Florida are that the Gators are the more talented team, and maybe even more importantly, the game at home. Last season the Owls went 1-5 on the road while traveling to Maryland, FUI, Rice, USF, Navy, and Tulane. All of those places combined don’t come close to what they will face on Saturday evening in the Swamp. As always in games such as this, the biggest disadvantage would be coming in expecting to win, and not be able to withstand it if the Owls punch them in the face.
Who are the key players to watch for?
Colding: For Florida, I will say wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. It will be important for quarterback Aaron Philo to help him get established as a focal point of this offense early. With the Owls putting most of their attention on Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III, it will be important for Singleton to have a big game. For the Owls, it will be quarterback Caden Veltkamp. He threw for 3,641 yards last season, and he will need to have a big game if the Owls want to be competitive.
Rodriguez: Florida Atlantic looks to rely on quarterback Cayden Veltkamp and receiver Easton Messer. The duo led FBS in offensive production, with Veltkamp leading in completions per game and Messer leading in receptions per game. For the Gators, Ben Hanks III and Cormani McClain will be the key players as they will have their hands full. The cornerbacks will face FAU’s pass-heavy offense that was productive in 2025.
Wheeler: It’s the Aaron Philo show. Regardless of the final – winning – margin, the tone will be set by the type of game Philo turns in. If he has a great game, there’s reason for optimism going forward. If he struggles, it could be a long season. Other than Philo, you want to see how Cormani McClain, Ben Hanks III, J’Vari Flowers, and Dijon Johnson hold up against one of the better G6 passing attacks. Their pace doesn’t allow much time for a defense to regroup.
Prediction
Colding: Florida is by far the more talented team, and they will look to get the Jon Sumrall era off to a hot start at home. While the Owls will look to make it consecutive years with a team from the American Athletic Conference winning in the Swamp, Florida will take care of business and get the Sumrall era off to a winning start. 38-10 Florida
Rodriguez: Jon Sumrall has proved how fired up he is, and the team has shown their excitement to play under this new staff. I think the Owls will come into the Swamp and get chomped by the Gators. 38-10 Florida
Wheeler: Florida is almost a 27 point favorite for a reason; top to bottom, the Gators are simply the better squad. Among the 22-man starting lineup for each side, other than maybe at quarterback (Caden Veltkamp), right guard (Vincent Fiacable) and defensive tackle (CJ Doggette Jr.), from man to man, UF is clearly the more talented team. Add in the fact that the game is at home, and it all adds up to a win. 31-17 Florida
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