Max Bernstein

Sports Editor/Football Reporter

Max Bernstein is a fourth-year sports and media journalism major and sports management minor. This Fall, he is a Sports Editor and a Florida Gators and Jacksonville Jaguars reporter at The Alligator. Now in his ninth semester with The Alligator, Max previously served in roles including Digital Managing Editor, Sports Editor, Assistant Sports Editor and Football Reporter. He has also made appearances on the Paul Finebaum Show. In the rare moments Max isn't working, he's usually with his girlfriend Reese, watching sports with his fraternity brothers or missing his family and his two cats.

Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) throws the ball during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Oxford, Miss.

Noah Lantor

News

The Rival Rundown: A look at Florida vs. Ole Miss from the other side

By Max Bernstein | Sep. 25

In the conference where everything “just means more,” every Saturday is filled with exciting action, and this one is no different. At 3:30 p.m., No. 21 Florida hosts No. 4 Ole Miss in a battle between 3-0 SEC squads at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. As part of this week’s Tailgate Edition, I spoke with Russ Eddins, the sports editor at The Daily Mississippian, the student-run newspaper for the University of Mississippi and the greater Oxford/Lafayette area.

Florida students hold up their phone flashlights as they sing “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty before the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Campbell, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Noah Lantor

Sports

The Conference Call: The Alligator’s football reporters pick Week 4 SEC matchups

By Ava DiCecca , Max Bernstein , Curan Ahern and Riley Orovitz | Sep. 23

The 11-game Week 3 SEC slate was the most unpredictable one yet. Texas A&M was vanquished by unranked Kentucky at home; Florida and Ole Miss picked up emotional rivalry game victories; and Vanderbilt beat NC State in one of the most unforgettable finishes to any football game in recent memory. Now, the Alligator’s Florida football beat reporters, Ava DiCecca, Max Bernstein, Curan Ahern and Riley Orovitz, are back to make picks for this week’s nine-game slate.

Florida offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner and defensive coordinator Brad White watch warmups before an NCAA college football game against FAU, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Noah Lantor

Sports

Buster Faulkner, Brad White talk first home SEC test

By Max Bernstein and Riley Orovitz | Sep. 22

For the first time since 2019, the Florida Gators are 3-0. UF’s offense is ranked third in yards per game (544.3) and second in points per game (54.0) in the nation. The Gators’ defense has forced two turnovers per game and ranks fourth nationally with 4.5 sacks per game.

Mily Moran

Sports

3 takeaways from the Jaguars’ Week 2 loss to the Broncos

By Max Bernstein and Curan Ahern | Sep. 21

Headed into Sunday’s matchup against the Denver Broncos, the Jacksonville Jaguars were on one of the best runs in franchise history. The Jags had won nine straight regular-season games, the second-longest streak in the organization's 30-year history. But that streak was snapped at Empower Field at Mile High.

Florida wide receiver Vernell Brown III (1) celebrates with tight end Luke Harping (15) and running back Evan Pryor (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Auburn, Ala.

Bayden Armstrong

Sports

Florida enters AP Top 25 Poll at No. 21

By Ava DiCecca and Max Bernstein | Sep. 20

After falling just short of the AP Top 25 rankings at the beginning of the college football season and narrowly missing the polls ever since, Florida has entered the Week 4 poll.

Florida defensive lineman DK Kalu (93) sacks Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown (17) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Auburn, Ala.

Noah Lantor

Sports

Highs and lows: Florida sees offensive explosion, defensive concerns

By Max Bernstein and Curan Ahern | Sep. 20

In a 44-39 win over Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium, Florida silenced its doubters. With swirling narratives of whether the Gators would produce a strong showing after beating up on lesser non-conference competition, Florida marched into Auburn, Alabama, and posted 495 total yards and seven sacks.

Florida quarterback Aaron Philo (12) struggles to the end zone during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Auburn, Ala.

Bayden Armstrong

Sports

Immediate takeaways from Florida's victory at Auburn

By Max Bernstein | Sep. 19

Florida’s first major test of the Jon Sumrall era was administered on Saturday night at Jordan-Hare Stadium. And the Gators passed the exam. Facing SEC rival Auburn on the road for the first time since 2011, Florida never surrendered its lead once, defeating the Tigers 44-39. Once again, the Gators were powered by their elite offensive performance and a reinvigorated pass rush.

Florida head coach Jon Sumrall walks to the locker room after winning an NCAA college football game against Campbell, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Noah Lantor

News

Florida releases injury report ahead of Auburn game

By Max Bernstein | Sep. 16

For the first time this season, Florida football released an official injury report ahead of its SEC opener against Auburn (2-0) on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Fans sit inside the Swamp during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Campbell, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Bayden Armstrong

Sports

The Conference Call: The Alligator’s football reporters pick Week 3 SEC matchups

By Ava DiCecca , Max Bernstein , Curan Ahern and Riley Orovitz | Sep. 16

After another exhilarating week of college football action, headlined this time by Texas’ thrilling 24-23 comeback win over Ohio State, The Alligator’s Florida football beat reporters, Ava DiCecca, Max Bernstein, Curan Ahern and Riley Orovitz, are back to make picks for this week’s 11-game slate.

Florida head coach Jon Sumrall watches his team in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Campbell, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Bayden Armstrong

News

‘These games count twice’: Jon Sumrall’s Gators gear up for road test against Auburn

By Max Bernstein and Curan Ahern | Sep. 14

After a 2-0 start with home wins over Florida Atlantic and Campbell, the Florida Gators head on the road for the first time under Jon Sumrall. But this game is personal in many ways. For the first time since 2011, Florida will take on the Auburn Tigers in Jordan-Hare Stadium, a venue that has hosted some of the most storied battles for both programs.