Gators Wire staff predictions for Florida-Texas matchup in Week 11

Billy Napier and his Florida football team head west this coming weekend to take on the Texas Longhorns for the first time since 1940. Coming off a gut-punch loss against the Georgia Bulldogs, which saw the Gators lose its second starting quarterback this fall, the Orange and Blue has a formidable task ahead of it.

The ‘Horns are ranked fifth in the US LBM Coaches Poll coming into this one sporting a 7-1 overall record, with that lone loss coming against the Georgia Bulldogs in Week 8. The Orange and Blue are 4-4 with a 2-3 mark against fellow conference teams.

A dark cloud of uncertainty hovers over the program as everyone awaits an update on Lagway’s status. While his injury was less severe than first expected, he remains questionable for this weekend’s game in Austin.

With all this in mind, the Gators Wire staff assembled to offer their respective predictions and takes for the Week 11 SEC affair. Here is what we have to offer.

If Lagway isn’t ready to play… this game will be ugly

After a valiant effort in last game’s loss against the Georgia Bulldogs, given the absurd amount of obstacles that were presented, the Gators have to immediately move on to this week’s matchup against another elite team in college football: The Texas Longhorns.

Billy Napier said during Monday’s press conference that DJ Lagway hasn’t been “completely ruled out” of Saturday’s game, but there’s also a sense that it’d be smart not to rush the freshman back if he isn’t feeling fully right. If Lagway does decide to play, I expect this game to be reasonably competitive. Given that Florida’s defense has been playing lights out, and Texas’ recent struggles offensively, the Gators can make it a sneaky close game.

But, if Lagway isn’t ready to play, I think that this game will be ugly. I don’t see any chance for Florida to win this game without Lagway, because remember, the Gators had a 10-3 lead against Georgia before he got hurt. So, we’ll find out who Florida has at quarterback this Saturday. — Aidan Gallardo

Texas 34, Florida 17

Best-case scenario is Gators keeping score low

Florida will likely be starting its third-string quarterback against one of the best teams in the nation — a situation that does not bode well for the Orange and Blue. However, the defense has been steadily improving, so the best-case scenario is the Gators keeping the score low and succeeding with the ground game.

Even if Lagway is cleared to play, one expects that his playing time will be cautiously monitored and there is little reason to expect anything less than a ground-attack approach. If the defense can continue its improvements while pestering Texas’ passing game, this could actually be a close matchup.

Unfortunately, that is very unlikely to happen on the road in one of the largest stadiums in the nation. The Gators’ depth has been decimated by injuries and the ‘Horns are a powerful juggernaut this season. — Adam Dubbin

Texas 38, Florida 20

Very hard to see Warner succeeding on road

Predicting this game feels pointless with Lagway in limbo. Florida can win with the true freshman under center, but the path to 270… I mean, victory… is far less certain with Aidan Warner at the helm. It’s very hard to see the Yale transfer succeeding on the road against one of the top teams in the conference, especially if Montrell Johnson and Eugene Wilson remain sidelined.

The defense might make things interesting, but last week proved that leaning on that unit isn’t an effective strategy if the offense is producing three-and-outs most of the time. At least, Jeremy Crawshaw gets to continue his campaign for the Ray Guy Award in that scenario. — David Rosenberg

If Lagway plays: Florida 34, Texas 31
If he doesn’t: Texas 34, Florida 10

How to watch Florida-Texas in Week 11