GAINESVILLE — Florida will visit Texas in a matchup of college football blue bloods, one an SEC charter member and the other a newcomer to the nation’s top conference.
The No. 5 Longhorns (7-1, 3-1 SEC) enter the home stretch of their SEC schedule coming off an Oct. 19 home loss to SEC heavyweight Georgia, a 27-24 decision Oct. 26 at surprising Vanderbilt and a bye week.
Coach Steve Sarkisian said a week off came at the right time as Texas prepares for the final push to earn a spot in the conference title game and the College Football Playoff.
“All are going to be very difficult games,” he said during Wednesday’s SEC teleconference.
Texas has not appeared unbeatable, while Florida is looking a lot tougher lately.
But the Gators also travel to Austin likely relying on third-string, walk-on quarterback Aidan Warner. True freshman phenom DJ Lagway, a Texas native, is practicing in a limited capacity and listed as questionable as he recovers from a Grade 2 hamstring strain in a 34-20 loss to Georgia last weekend in Jacksonville.
Yet, the Gators (4-4, 2-3) are confident even as 21.5-point underdogs.
Florida’s offensive line and run game can generate yards while the defense has drastically improved. Exhibiting effort and fight have become the team’s identity during the past four games, featuring impressive wins against UCF and Kentucky and hard-fought losses to Tennessee and Georgia.
“They’ve learned how to compete,” coach Billy Napier said. “They believe in what they’re doing, they believe in each other. We have to take attention to detail to a different level and maybe we find four or five more plays a game that make the difference.”
Florida hopes to put it all together and make a little history during its inaugural SEC meeting with Texas and first trip to Austin since 1939 and second in 100 years, dating to a 7-7 tie in 1924.
“[They have] a lot of great coaches, a lot of great players and championship teams for as long as I can remember,” Napier said. “Texas has been a factor and one of those brands that has been a contender.”
Coaches: Napier 15-18 (55-30 overall); Sarkisian 32-15 (78-50 overall).
Quick slant:Florida’s four losses are to teams ranked in top 15 of the College Football Playoff rankings. Texas beat Louisiana 38-18 to open the 2021 season, Sarkisian’s first in Austin and Napier’s fourth and final one in Lafayette.
About UF: With a week to prepare as starter, Warner, a Yale transfer from Winter Park, has to improve on his Georgia performance. Forced into action for Lagway, Warner finished 7 of 22 for 66 yards and an interception, but did lead UF to 10 points and a 20-20 tie before Georgia pulled away. Barring a miraculous recovery by Lagway, Warner will face a Longhorns defense leading the nation in average passing yards allowed (135.8) and passing efficiency defense (90.77). The 1-2 punch at tailback featuring true freshman Jadan Baugh and redshirt junior Ja’Kobi Jackson and a much-improved offensive line generated 138 yards on 19 carries against Georgia, but now faces an even stingier defense. The Gators’ D lately has been opportunistic. UF has produced 3 interceptions during consecutive games and multiple takeaways in three straight games for the first time since 2019. Injured cornerback Devin Moore had interceptions in the past two games, but seven players had takeaways the past three games. With 8 tackles, Oregon transfer Trikweze Bridges led the Gators for the third time in five games; he has a team-best 42 stops. Kicker Trey Smack’s 53-yard field goal made him 9 of 11 while punter Jeremy Crawshaw’s 4 punts inside the 20 gives him 17 on 34 boots.
About Texas: The Longhorns are complete, ranking among the nation’s top 20 teams in scoring offense (37.6 ppg, 16th) and defense (11.5, 2nd). Quarterback Quin Ewers has a 19-game streak with a passing touchdown, second longest in school history to all-time passing leader Colt McCoy. Ewers had 3 TDs at Vanderbilt featuring a stretch of 17 straight completions, but did toss 2 interceptions. Seven Longhorns have caught at least 2 touchdowns, led by DeAndre Moore with 5 on just 17 receptions. Senior tight end Gunnar Helm has a team-high 31 catches for 419 yards and 2 scores. Sophomore tailback and former Edgewater standout CJ Baxter was lost to a season-ending knee injury during the first week of fall camp. Quintrevion Wisner and Jaydon Blue handle RB duties by committee (103.5 combined ypg). Texas’ defense is equally opportunistic, having has forced multiple turnovers in three in a row and 17 overall (3rd SEC). Defensive back Jahdae Barron has 3 interceptions, 6 pass breakups and a fumble recovery. True freshman edge rusher Colin Simmons is second on Texas with 7.5 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. Senior K Bert Auburn, who made 20 straight field goals in 2023, is 6 of 8.
3 things to watch
Who has the faster start: The Longhorns have pounced on opponents, outscoring them 70-17 during the first quarter. UF has scored 30 and allowed 30 points during the opening 15 minutes.
Pressuring Ewers: Texas is one of five FBS teams with the same offensive line starters in every games, yet the Longhorns’ quarterback was sacked 4 times at Vanderbilt after Georgia got him on the ground 5 times. The Gators’ resurgent defense aims to capitalize on Ewers’ lack of mobility.
Containing Anthony Hill: A freshman All-American, the 6-foot-3, 235-pound sophomore was the nation’s No. 1 linebacker prospect in 2023 — and has played like it. Hill leads Texas with 58 tackles, including 10 for loss (5.5 sacks).
Up next …
Florida at Texas
When:Noon, Saturday, Darrel K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
TV: ABC; Radio: AM 540/FM 93.1 WFLF, Sirius/XM 374 or 380
Weather: 76 degrees, 1% rain chance
Favorite: Texas by 21.5 points
Online: orlandosentinel.com/gators; @edgarthompson on X
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
