For the first time since 1940, the Texas Longhorns will face the Florida Gators on Nov. 9 in Austin.
Although Florida is considered an iconic member of the Southeastern Conference, the Longhorns are expected to be the more well-rounded team. While Texas is ranked third in ESPN‘s College Football Power Index, Florida is ranked 20th.
The Gators were picked to finish 12th in the SEC, as voted by the media at SEC Media Days.
Coming off a 5-7 season, including a five-game losing streak, it is do-or-die for Florida head coach Billy Napier. Napier will enter his third season, but faces the nation’s toughest schedules. This includes a brutal five-game stretch at the end of the regular season against Georgia, Texas, LSU, Ole Miss and Florida State.
Despite the recent downturn of performance and a group of daunting opponents ahead, there seems to be an attitude of optimism coming out of Gainesville, mainly due to Napier’s offseason hiring and recruiting gains.
One of Florida’s major weaknesses last season was the lack of depth in its offensive line, but with additions of two tackles via the transfer portal, redshirt junior Devon Manuel and redshirt senior Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, as well as a healthy redshirt junior Austin Barber, this season’s O-line is expected to be Florida’s best in years. Both Crenshaw-Dickson and Manuel bring in the experience needed to help stop Texas’ pass rush.
A better offensive line will open up possibilities and give more time after the snap to seasoned sixth-year quarterback Graham Mertz, who connected on 72.9 percent of his passes for 2,903 yards and 20 touchdowns with three picks last season. If the Gators can pose any threat to the Texas defense, it will be through Mertz’s key wide receiver targets. Senior Chimere Dike, who transferred from Wisconsin, and senior Elijhah Badger, who transferred from Arizona State, could be a deep-ball threat to the Longhorn’s secondary that struggled last season. Sophomore Eugene Wilson III, who made 61 receptions and six touchdowns last season, will also be in the mix.
The Gator defense is in a rebuilding period. Florida underwent a complete overhaul of the secondary after hiring new defensive back coach Will Harris, who has extensive experience as an assistant coach. Napier also added five defensive backs through the transfer portal, including redshirt senior safety Asa Turner, who played in the National Championship and was a part of the Washington team that beat Texas in the Sugar Bowl.
The cornerback duo of the experienced senior Jason Marshall Jr. and junior Devin Moore must break up or pick off passes to have a chance of stopping the Longhorns’ expected explosive offense. Marshall has started 32 games in his three-year career, combining for 78 tackles, two interceptions and 23 pass deflections. In 2023, Moore allowed five receptions for 30 yards on 12 targets while playing in seven games.
Fatigue and injury management could also be a factor in the match-up, as the game is close to the end of the regular season. For Texas, this game will likely be a must-win to preserve conference championship and playoff hopes, as well as to build momentum heading into the post-regular season.
For Florida, however, the game will test Napier’s ability to lead a team against a high-profile opponent in a hostile environment.
