GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Coming off last week's road win at Auburn, the Gators returned home to more buzz than they are accustomed to.
More strangers than usual stopped them on campus to say congrats. Head coach Jon Sumrall's one-liners and fiery demeanor became fodder for pundits who typically don't pay much attention to the Gators. The online analysts pontificated about what offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner has done to spark the country's No. 2-ranked scoring offense.
Welcome to the old days.
Yes, when No. 21-ranked Florida (3-0, 1-0 in the Southeastern Conference) and No. 4 Ole Miss (3-0 1-0) kick off Saturday afternoon at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, it's going to feel a lot like 1996 or 2006 in the Gators' mansion along University Avenue. They call these big games — and this one fits the bill.
Sumrall and Ole Miss coach Pete Golding sounded almost like the same person this week. Both coaches just led their teams to big wins – the Rebels knocked off LSU at home – and preached to their teams that to be the best, you've got to maintain a level that consistency whether you're facing a top-10 team or Towson.
The message seems to have gotten through to the Gators, who are a 3.5-point favorite.
"At the end of the day, they got to play us, we got to play them,'' sophomore receiver Vernell Brown III said. "Whatever the odds and all that stuff, nobody ever wins a game on paper."
On paper, this one has all the ingredients to add another chapter into The Swamp's lore. Each team features marquee players. Both have areas to improve. And each has much bigger goals than the memory of early season success.
Florida is off to its first 3-0 start since 2019 and after being penalized 16 times at Auburn, Sumrall voiced an urgent tone.
"The Gators tried to beat the Gators some last week,'' he said. "We try to beat ourselves at all this week, we will not win the game."
Golding's dilemma is different. The Rebels won an emotional game over LSU to start an all-night party on campus.
The reward? A trip to The Swamp to face a Florida team hungry for another victory.
"In this profession, you start getting comfortable, you start getting your a** beat," he said.
The stage is set. You might want to get there early.
Here is our latest edition of The Opening Kickoff for a closer look at the Florida-Ole Miss game: THREE STORYLINES
This is a game that doesn't need manufactured hype. Two unbeaten SEC teams. The SEC opener at The Swamp. A pair of potential Heisman finalists. A sold-out crowd in front of a national television audience on ABC. Kickoff can't get here fast enough.
Speaking of those potential Heisman finalists, Gators running back Jadan Baugh leads the SEC in rushing (458 yards, 8 TD) and is the rock of UF's offense. Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss leads the SEC in passing (77 of 110, 924 yards, 7 TD, 2 INT) and seems to get better each outing. There's added intrigue with Ole Miss' rushing defense ranked last in the SEC, and Florida's pass defense ranked 14th. Will one of them have a marquee performance? Will both rise to the occasion? Or will another player steal the headlines?
Both teams are coming off big conference wins. The Gators traveled to Jordan-Hare Stadium and came home with their first conference win under Sumrall and first win at Auburn since 1999. The Rebels ruined former coach Lane Kiffin's return to Oxford in one of the most-anticipated games of the season. Another week, another huge game. Both coaches discussed the importance of keeping their teams dialed in heading into Saturday's showdown at The Swamp. If one has a letdown, advantage to the other.
THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Since we mentioned Baugh and Chambliss (see above), next up is Gators quarterback Aaron Philo. He hasn't received as much attention as Baugh during the Gators' hot start, but Philo has been crucial to their success. Philo went 15 of 22 for 204 yards with a touchdown and interception in his first road start for UF. Philo has completed 73.4% of his passes (47 of 64) for 721 yards, six touchdowns and two picks (neither his fault). He has shown moxie and smarts, key intangibles for a young quarterback tasked with leading a program turnaround.
Baugh is a dynamic old-school running back who picks up a lot of yards between the tackles. Rebels junior Kewan Lacy is fast and shifty and can break free each time he touches the ball. He did often a year ago in a 34-24 win over the Gators, rushing for 224 yards and three scores on the way to a school-record 1,567 yards and 24 TD. Lacy is questionable Saturday after leaving the LSU game due to injury. If he plays, the Gators need no introduction. They know they must slow him down to have a chance.
UF edge rusher Jayden Woods had his best game of the season at Auburn, registering a team-high six tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and a quarterback hurry. He had help from teammate Emmanuel Oyebadejo, who had three tackles and 2.5 sacks against the Tigers. Woods demands attention up front and if he can create as much chaos Saturday as he did at Auburn, Chambliss and Co. will find it difficult to get comfortable.
FIVE QUESTIONS WITH … GATORS LB AARON CHILES
A junior from Maryland, Chiles has taken on an expanded role in 2026. He made a season-high five tackles in last week's win at Auburn and has connected with his head coach and defensive coordinators — both linebackers during their playing careers.
Linebacker Aaron Chiles had recorded 11 tackles through three games. (Photo: Audrey Djuricich/UAA Communications)
Q: What is the challenge of facing Ole Miss' explosive offense?
A: That's why we play in the SEC. That's why we look forward to these games. We want the challenge of these games to prove to people that we can compete. We're one of the best teams. I see this game as an opportunity to show what we can do.
Q: What lingers from last season's loss to the Rebels?
A: The main thing was just finishing games, and that turns into this year. Like last week, I feel like we struggled a little bit with finishing. You know, we went up three scores, and as a defense, we got to do a better job. But that's been the main emphasis this week, especially with practice and lift, is just finishing.
Q: Is there a revenge factor for those players around last year?
A: Oh, definitely. You know, Coach Sumrall always tells us, make sure you have a chip on your shoulder. Play hungry. I understand the odds have us to be a favorite, but it's a lot of people out there that don't think we're gonna win. So just having that chip on our shoulder and just being hungry at all times, I think that'll help us a lot.
Q: How does it help you that both Sumrall and defensive coordinator Brad White played linebacker?
A: That's a dream come true for me. Just their mindset and the way we practice, the way we play, we have to be intense. And with the scheme, it just allows us to play free. Our scheme, it allows a lot of freedom for the front seven to just make plays, play off one another and just do what we do, just make plays.
Q: How has your role evolved in the new system?
A: I'm playing more MIKE, stack linebacker, but I also move out to like overhand, like a heavy STAR position, whether the team goes bigger or whatnot, and maybe to play in space. I would say it helps my ability by allowing me to be versatile. Showing my versatility on the field, be able to play outside the box, in the box, line up in different spots. That's something I want to do wherever coach puts me.
THREE DIGITS
5 — Sacks of Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss a season ago in UF's loss in Oxford. That is the most Chambliss has been sacked since taking over as the Rebels' starter. 29 — Years since a Gators running back had four consecutive 100-yard rushing games (Fred Taylor, 1997) before junior Jadan Baugh reeled off his fourth in a row in last week's win at Auburn. 2 — Players in program history with five consecutive 100-yard rushing games (Emmitt Smith, Taylor).
AVAILABILITY REPORT*
FLORIDA — QUESTIONABLE: WR Eric Singleton Jr. (ankle). OLE MISS — OUT: CB Cedrick Beavers (undisclosed), CB Dorian Barney (undisclosed), S MJ Preston (undisclosed), LB Ant Davis Jr. (undisclosed), LB JaMichael Garrett (undisclosed), CB Victor Lincoln Jr. (undisclosed), S Craig Tutt (undisclosed), OL Jalan Chapman (undisclosed), OL Emanuel Faulkner (knee). QUESTIONABLE: RB Kewan Lacy (shoulder).
*Updated Friday morning NEWS, NOTES, NUGGETS
The Florida-Ole Miss series is tied 13-13-1 all-time. Florida owns a 6-5-1 advantage at home.
The Gators are averaging 54 points in three games under Jon Sumrall, with the 162 points the most in program history for a first-year UF coach in his first three games.
Florida has defeated the Rebels in their last two visits to The Swamp: 38-10 in 2015, and 24-17 in 2024.
Ole Miss has not won at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium since 2008, a 31-30 victory that inspired former UF quarterback Tim Tebow's famous "Promise" speech afterward.
Former Gators DB Sharif Denson had nine tackles and one tackle-for-loss in his debut with the Rebels last week. Denson did not play in the first two games. Former UF defensive lineman Michai Boireau has three tackles and 0.5 sacks. Both players transferred to Ole Miss after last season.
The Gators have 21 receptions for 15+ yards, topped by six from sophomore Vernell Brown III (49, 37, 33, 27, 24, 15).
Jadan Baugh now has eight career 100-yard rushing games, tying Montrell Johnson Jr. (2022-24) and John L. Williams (1982-85) for sixth-most in program history.
Ole Miss receiver Deuce Alexander leads the SEC in receiving yards per game (98.6), with 20 catches, 295 yards and three touchdowns. Alexander and UF receiver Micah Mays Jr. were Wake Forest teammates in 2024.
Pete Golding is 5-1 in six games as the Ole Miss head coach, taking over late last season when Lane Kiffin departed for LSU.
UF kicker Patrick Durkin, a transfer from Tulane, is 5-for-5 on field goals and has made 32 of 37 in his career.
CHARTING THE GATORS
Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, a transfer from Ferris State prior to last season, is the latest talented gunslinger to visit The Swamp. A look at some recent big-name visitors:
QUARTERBACK
SEASON
RESULT
STATS
Arch Manning
2025
Gators W, 29-21
16 of 29, 263 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Jaxson Dart
2024
Gators W, 24-17
24 of 41, 323y, 2 TD, 2 INT
Garrett Nussmeier
2024
Gators W, 27-16
27 of 47, 260y, 1 TD, 0 INT
Marcel Reed
2024
Gators L, 33-20
11 of 17, 178y, 1 TD, 83y rushing
Cam Ward
2024
Gators L, 41-17
26 of 35, 385y, 3 TD, 1 INT
Joe Milton III
2023
Gators W, 29-16
20 of 34, 287y, 2 TD 1 INT
Jayden Daniels
2022
Gators L, 45-35
23 of 32, 349y, 3 TD, 0 INT
Cameron Rising
2022
Gators W, 29-26
22 of 32, 216y, 1 TD, 1 INT
Bryce Young
2021
Gators L, 31-29
23 of 35, 240y, 3 TD, 0 INT
Max Johnson
2020
Gators L, 37-34
21 of 36, 239y, 3 TD, 0 INT
THEY SAID IT
"I'm not going to take the fun away. Growing up as a kid, you said, 'I want to go play football, not work football.' Now it's our livelihood and it's our job, but I want him to enjoy it." – Gators head coach Jon Sumrall on running back Jadan Baugh imitating the Heisman pose after scores
"He reminds me of a coach's kid on tape, man. He's tough as nails. He's really smart. You can tell — they snap one over the head and he was just telling everybody calm down, relax. Got a really good demeanor." – Ole Miss coach Pete Golding on Gators quarterback Aaron Philo
"When we get him back, that's a bonus for us, because he adds an element that everybody wants and that's elite speed, elite toughness, he's a competitor. He's a guy that's going to play a long time too because of the competitive character of football that he has." — Florida offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner on receiver Eric Singleton Jr., who is close to returning from a high-ankle sprain
They play inspired from the start, boosted by a sold-out crowd at The Swamp starved for a big-time win. If the Gators get Baugh going early to ease some of the pressure on Philo, the Rebels could be in trouble. Defensively, if Florida can bend but not break by allowing huge chunk plays consistently, a 4-0 start for the first time in seven years is much more likely. First and foremost, they need to keep Chambliss in the pocket the way they did Byrum Brown much of last week's win at Auburn.
WHY OLE MISS WILL WIN
First, the Rebels avoid any semblance of a letdown. Next, Chambliss makes big play after big play the way he did in last week's emotional win over LSU. Or if Lacy plays, he runs wild against Florida's defense similar to last season. The Rebels are going to challenge Florida's defense regardless, and if they don't face much resistance or turn the ball over, look for them make it a long day for UF fans.
