No. 7 Miami vs Stanford Sept. 4

Miami’s No. 7 Hurricanes open action with an ACC road visit to Stanford, where the Cardinal struggled on scoring and Miami’s defense has been a strength entering the matchup. The preview highlights Stanford’s difficulty generating points and Miami’s advantage on defense, with both teams’ passing units a key storyline heading into Friday’s game. Florida also renews its in-state rivalry with Florida Atlantic as the Gators host at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in the opener of the 2026 season under first-year coach Jon Sumrall. The historical series favors Florida, which has outscored FAU by a wide margin in prior Gainesville meetings, including a close late-game escape for the Gators back in 2015. Meanwhile, UCF begins its 2026 season Thursday night at home against Bethune-Cookman, continuing a dominant series record that dates back decades and includes an extended UCF win streak. UCF’s early matchup and surrounding context are shaped by the Knights’ recent success and Bethune-Cookman’s quarterback transition following the departures of key offensive players.