This number sums up Florida Gators in 2026 according to SI
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Sports Illustrated selected one key statistic for each SEC program that could define its 2026 season.
Many experts describe the league as deep and formidable while recognizing the reality of a surge by the Big Ten — the conference that has won the past three national championships. If a team should emerge from the SEC pack to challenge defending champion Indiana, they'll need to address the issues highlighted by SI staff writer Patrick Andres.
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Florida's number is 23.9: the points per game Tulane allowed during Sumrall's final season with the Green Wave. This total marks the highest average points allowed during Sumrall's coaching career. Tulane reached the CFB playoff last season, but was routed by Ole Miss in the opening round. Consistently fielding respectable defenses throughout his stint as a team leader, Gator Nation hopes that Sumrall can restore UF's defensive identity.
Under former head coach Billy Napier, the Gators struggled on that side of the ball. Poor third-down conversion, yards per play, and total defense haunted the program during the four years Napier was at the helm. In 2025, the Florida defense ranked No. 60 in points allowed and surrendered 411.8 total yards per game during conference play.
Florida has not finished inside the top 40 nationally in FBS scoring defense since 2019.
To help revitalize Florida's defense, Sumrall brought in former Kentucky Wildcat Brad White. The defensive coordinator is highly regarded for his player development, having coached 14 NFL draft picks during his time in Lexington. Under White's guidance, Kentucky finished in the top five of SEC scoring defense four times.
The conference is viewed as wide open, with more than a half-dozen SEC teams entering 2026 as legitimate playoff contenders. For the Gators, defense is one of the clearest benchmarks for evaluating Sumrall's first campaign in Gainesville and a key indicator for whether Florida can exceed expectations.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: This number sums up Florida Gators in 2026 according to SI