After a week off to regroup and fix problem areas, the Texas Longhorns start the final third of the season Saturday at home against the Florida Gators.
Florida and Texas have played only three times in history. Texas is 2-0-1 against the Gators. The two teams tied 7-7 in Austin way back in 1924. UT won the second meeting in 1939, also played in Austin, 12-0. The last time the Longhorns and Gators faced off was in 1940 when UF was shut out on its home field by UT, 26-0.
Florida enters Saturday’s game as a 20-plus point underdog for only the fourth time in 30 years. At 4-4, 2024 has been a trying season for Gators fans. The negativity got so loud, Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin issued a vote of confidence this week for Gators coach Billy Napier.
Jamie Gatlin’s Prediction:
After a week of rest, the Longhorns will be back in action on Saturday against the Florida Gators. While the Gators have had an up-and-down season, they will be motivated to prove themselves against the fifth-ranked team in the country. Their two defensive stars, Tyreak Sapp and George Gumbs Jr., will be tasked with stopping Ewers and the Longhorns’ passing attack.
Although the Longhorns’ offensive line will have their work cut out for them, Ewers has plenty of weapons to be successful. In their last win, he threw three touchdown passes and rebounded from his worst game of the season. With playoff position at stake, this is not a game the Longhorns will take lightly, and the offense should be firing on all cylinders.
Final score: Texas 34, Florida 24
’s Prediction:
With Florida entering as a 20-plus point underdog for only the fourth time in 30 years, the odds are stacked against them. If Warner takes the helm at quarterback, he’ll be up against a relentless Texas defense that ranks among the nation’s best. The Longhorns have won 17 straight against unranked opponents, with eight of those by 20 points or more.
Texas is fresh off a bye week, much needed in my opinion. The spirits have been kept high that’s for sure, don’t think it weakened them one bit. I expect Texas to dominate on both sides of the ball, bouncing back from what some will call a choppy Vanderbilt performance.
Final score: Texas 41, Florida 21
Trey Luerssen’s Prediction:
Even though the Gators have looked better over the past couple weeks, with close losses to Tennessee and Georgia, Florida looks undermanned against Texas. UT will be too much for Florida to contain playing at DKR in Austin. After two weeks off, look for the Longhorns to roll again like the start of the season.
Final score: Texas 38, Florida 13