Staff Predictions: No. 7 Texas Longhorns versus Florida Gators

Texas returns to Austin on Saturday with a loss to Oklahoma still fresh and little time to dwell on it. Florida has its own problems after consecutive defeats, leaving both teams looking for a win that would make the previous two weeks easier to stomach. For the Longhorns, this is a chance to get Arch Manning and the offense settled again, against a defense that has struggled to stop the pass.

Last year’s loss in Gainesville ultimately cost the Longhorns a spot in the College Football Playoff, but Texas has enough to address without making this week about payback. Better protection, fewer costly decisions and pressure on Florida’s quarterback would go further than any talk of revenge. Will the Longhorns make those corrections at home, or give the Gators another opportunity to spoil their Saturday at DKR?

The HornSports staff weighs in with their predictions.

PREDICTIONS

Jameson McCausland (4-1)

This has to be a get-right week for the Texas offense. Florida has not stopped anyone all season and is particularly vulnerable against the pass.

Offensively, the Gators have struggled mightily to run the ball the last two weeks. Star RB Jaden Baugh has 27 carries for 72 yards in losses to Missouri and South Carolina. Texas has been very solid against the run all year, so this seems like a good matchup on paper.

There is an unknown of just how long it might take Texas to get over what happened Saturday in the Cotton Bowl. That was a devastating loss on multiple levels. With that said, I think the Longhorns do enough to get back in the win column.

Score Prediction: Texas 30, Florida 21

Devon Messinger (4-1)

After a stunning loss at the hands of the Oklahoma Sooners, the Longhorns will look to bounce back this weekend against Florida. While currently unranked, the Gators got off to a hot start to the season with wins over Auburn and Ole Miss before quickly cooling off over the last two weeks.

For Texas, the keys to this game will be stopping Florida’s running attack and cleaning up its special teams play.

At running back for the Gators, Jadan Baugh has been phenomenal for his team. However, if Will Muschamp’s Longhorn defense can bottle him up, things will quickly dry up for Florida.

On the special teams side, Texas has made a multitude of errors in recent weeks. Against teams like Florida, you cannot afford to give away easy opportunities in the field-position battle. If the Longhorns can clean up their mistakes, the Texas offense will have less pressure to score on every possession.

Of course, Arch Manning and the Texas offense will have to improve, but Florida’s defense has not been the most formidable of units. Regardless, the inconsistencies Steve Sarkisian’s offense has faced have been so severe that it’s really impossible to know what to expect either way.

Score Prediction: Texas 34, Florida 20

Aaron Carrara (4-1)

I’m picking Texas, but I’m not looking for Arch Manning to make up for Oklahoma on every possession. Florida’s secondary gives the Longhorns room to be patient, and I’d rather see Manning take an underneath completion than force a throw because last week went sideways. Protection is what I will be looking for on Saturday. Texas still has to give him time to take advantage of this matchup.

On the other side, I like Colin Simmons’ chances against a Florida line that struggled with South Carolina’s edge pressure. I expect the Gators to have trouble sustaining enough drives to win in Austin, provided Texas doesn’t hand them short fields. The Gators could possibly start backup quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. if Aaron Philo’s shoulder injury is not better, which makes my lean toward Texas winning this game even stronger.

Score Prediction: Texas 31, Florida 17

Marc Henry (4-1)

Texas returns home looking to bounce back against Florida after a tough loss to Oklahoma handed the Longhorns their first SEC defeat.

Protecting the football is priority No. 1 after costly turnovers, including a pick-six, hurt Texas in the Red River Rivalry. Special teams must also improve.

Florida wants to run the football, so the Texas defense must be stout up front and tackle well. This is a must-win game for the Longhorns to regain their footing.

Score Prediction: Texas 24 Florida 17

Mitch Lovell (4-1)

Since 2023, Texas has been really good when coming off a loss under Steve Sarkisian. Both Florida and Texas badly need this game. The Longhorns are the more talented team and should score more points against Florida’s defense than they have been lately. Florida will test the Texas defense with a potent offense, but Texas should pull away in the second half.

Score Prediction: Texas 31, Florida 21

Kendrick Johnson (4-1)

After last weekend’s meltdown and upset loss to Oklahoma, expect Texas to come back wanting to send a message this weekend back in the friendly confines of DKR. Combine this with the fact Arch and company will be looking to avenge last year’s debacle in Gainesville which essentially keep Texas out of the CFP and easy see why Florida will have Texas’ full attention.

When the emotion wears off and the game settles down, I expect so see and more physical and dominating defense and a more efficient Arch Manning. It will take more than one week to completely turn things around, but I expect the Longhorn’s much maligned offense to produce their best performance of the season against a Gator defense that was embarrassed by South Carolina last week.

When you combined the revenge factor with the home field advantage Texas gets by playing at DKR, I legitimately think the good guys in “Burnt Orange and White” will play their most complete game of the season. By the end of the game, Texas will have sent a message to rest of the SEC and the nation that they aren’t done yet.

Score Prediction: Texas 28, Florida 17