Jon Sumrall's comments about the Florida State rivalry seem unknowledgeable to most

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell is on everyone's hot seat list heading into the 2026 season, and it will be interesting to monitor if the Seminoles will even keep him throughout the entire year.

The rivalry game against Florida last year was a contest that many thought the Seminoles would win, given that the Gators will struggling mightily on the field and even had an interim head coach. Unfortunately, star running back Jadan Baugh had over 200 rushing yards in a three-possession rout over the Seminoles in the Swamp.

It was embarrassing to see for the fan base after many were frustrated that the administration decided to keep head coach Mike Norvell, especially after the Stanford loss. The loss to an interim coach, Billy Gonzales, stung because it was the second time in Norvell's tenure at Florida State that he had lost to a Gators' temporary coach.

Florida ended up hiring former Troy and Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall, which seemed to be deja vu for the Gators when they brought in Billy Napier. However, Sumrall continues to get rave reviews, and Florida is even pulling in highly-touted recruits, as they hold the fifth-best recruiting class.

Jon Sumrall's comments about the Florida-Florida State rivalry are questionable

The Gators' head man was asked to rank Florida's biggest rivals in an interview: Florida State, Georgia, Miami, and LSU. He told former Alabama running back Damien Harris that the Seminoles and Bulldogs were tied at number one, while the Hurricanes and Tigers could be interchangeable at the final spots.

For those who don't know, the Sunshine Showdown has been played since 1958. These two teams don't like each other at all. Heck, even I won't wear the orange or drink Gatorade because of those pesky Florida Gators. Sumrall's comments suggest he doesn't get the pure hatred between the Seminoles and the mouth-breathers over in Gainesville.

I get that the Florida-Georgia rivalry was played longer, but the Bulldogs have wiped the floor with the Gators lately, where they have won eight of the last nine meetings.

Head coach Mike Norvell has a 2-3 career record against Florida during his tenure, where he has lost the last two meetings. It pains me to see the Gators being successful against the Seminoles again because former head coach Jimbo Fisher dominated Florida with a 7-1 record during his time at Florida State.

This isn't a "let's tear Mike Norvell" article, but Florida State cannot afford to lose to a first-year head coach in Jon Sumrall in 2026. It would be a horrible look for bragging rights on the recruiting trail; it will be on national TV on Black Friday and inside Doak Campbell Stadium.

The Gators planted their flag at midfield in Doak Campbell Stadium after they became victorious by a score of 31-11. Head coach Mike Norvell has to be a man on a mission when toe meets the leather.

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