Week 0 has officially come and gone for all college football programs, but the lingering effects of the week can still be felt. Florida State walked through a 34-17 win over New Mexico State after entering the contest as favorites by a four-touchdown margin. The 2026 season did not get off to the start that coach Mike Norvell had hoped for, and it is safe to say opposing teams took very close notice.
With the season set to open during Week 1 for the Florida Gators, new coach Jon Sumrall conducted his first game-week presser on Monday. The Gators may have to face Florida Atlantic this Saturday, but Sumrall had a few other teams on his mind.
Florida Gators HC Jon Sumrall points out on-field mistakes Florida State committed during Week 0 Win
Sumrall was asked a question by a member of the media that pertained to what the objective was for the recent game-focused practices. Sumrall explained in detail that, as a team, focusing on being prepared for virtually any situation is a must.
The coach then proceeded to reveal that his staff had been doing plenty of work during Week 0. Sumrall and his staff sought out key situations that would need to be addressed and quietly pointed the finger at two familiar coaches with his comments:
"There was one game, there were 12 guys on the field on field goal block three times in the same game."
Fans of the Florida Gators feel the pain of failing to get 11 players on the field after notable struggles from former coach Billy Napier, who is currently coaching James Madison. Sumrall needs to be better than Napier was, and the coach appears to acutely understand that with his comments. However, Sumrall also understands who his opponents are and exactly who is listening.
During the difficult Week 0 win for the Seminoles, Mike Norvell's special teams unit received three flags for illegal substitution for having 12 players on the field. The flags are often a direct result of being unprepared or unaware, which are two things Florida State cannot afford to be during the 2026 season. Changes will need to be made, and the hope for the Seminoles now has to be that the team will utilize the outside noise as further motivation to put together a more promising season than last.
Florida and Florida State will be meeting this season on November 27th at Doak Campbell Stadium to finish the regular season with plenty more on the line than last season.
A season ago, the Gators entered the contest with a 3-8 record and one foot ready to initiate the process of finding a new coach. Florida decided to hire Sumrall, who is eager to deliver a potential knock-out punch to his new rivals at the end of the 2026 season.
Florida State ultimately lost, 40-21, in a game that truly needed to be won considering how the season had been going. This time around, the Seminoles will enter the contest with potentially just the boost in motivation needed to end the current two-game losing streak in the Sunshine Showdown.
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