GAINESVILLE — Coach Jon Sumrall appreciates Florida fans’ fervor, while understanding it can cut both ways.

In the span of two weeks in the Swamp, cheers became jeers as the Gators’ celebrated 4-0 start gave way to consecutive double-digit losses and 4-2 record.

A sold-out crowd at the Swamp didn’t hold back as Florida’s 38-19 homecoming flop unfolded against South Carolina.

“They have the right to boo,” Sumrall said. “The thing I love is having freaking passionate, awesome fans. Why you come to the University of Florida is because people care. I love that our fans care enough to boo.

“I don’t want to applaud when we’re not playing well.”

Gator Nation’s patience will be tested.

After everything appeared to click in September, the Gators (4-2, 2-2 SEC) are suddenly struggling entering the regular season’s second half. Their toughest two-game stretch of the season awaits, beginning Saturday with a trip to No. 7 Texas (4-1, 1-1) — followed by an Oct. 31 meeting with No. 1 Georgia in Atlanta.

Here are four key questions facing Florida ahead of its showdown with the Longhorns:

Which Arch Manning will show up?

The Gators got the best of the Texas’ star quarterback in 2025, sacking him six times and intercepting him twice during a 29-21 upset.

From there, Manning rallied the Longhorns to a 7-1 finish, accounting for 20 touchdowns and just two interceptions as Texas fell short of a third straight College Football Playoff bid.

But Manning has been a study in contrasts again in 2026.

He was brilliant during a fourth-quarter comeback from a 20-3 deficit against Ohio State. Last weekend against rival Oklahoma, however, Manning faltered as the then-No. 1 Longhorns fell 27-24.

Manning threw three touchdowns, including one that tied the score with 6:32 left. But he threw two fourth-quarter interceptions, one returned for a touchdown and the other setting up Oklahoma’s game-winning field goal.

The nephew of Super Bowl winners Peyton and Eli will now face Florida’s SEC-worst defense. Surrounded by an all-star supporting cast that includes receivers Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo, Manning could be the latest quarterback to shred the Gators’ secondary. He also is a dangerous runner who gained 74 yards on the ground, excluding sacks, last season in the Swamp.

“He’s athletically a little bit different maybe than his uncles,” Sumrall said.

Still, the latest member of football’s first family of quarterbacking has yet to show their consistency and calm. Florida will look to capitalize.

Can Florida solve the ‘middle eight’?

The Gators have floundered at a critical juncture in each of the past two games.

Missouri and South Carolina outscored Florida 24-3 during the final four minutes of the first half and opening four minutes of the second half, seizing the momentum before pulling away for decisive wins.

Make it 31-3 during the so-called “middle eight,” if counting a Missouri touchdown 4:26 before halftime, which began a run of six straight possessions with points for the Tigers. Florida responded with a punt each time.

South Carolina cashed in on an Aaron Philo interception to break a 10-10 tie with a touchdown with 1:42 left before halftime last Saturday. The Gators squandered their ensuing possession, then opened the second half with a field goal. The Gamecocks answered with another touchdown at the 11:47 mark to take a 24-13 lead during a stretch of five consecutive scoring possessions.

Those momentum swings helped doom Florida, offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner said.

“It really has started (in) that middle eight for us,” he said. “We’re trying to play catch-up and we’ve got to keep ourselves out of that situation the best we can.”

Has Dallas Wilson emerged as a leader?

Wilson delivered an impassioned, occasionally profane postgame locker-room speech after the South Carolina loss that made an impression. Already a go-receiver, he could fill a much-needed leadership role.

Fellow sophomore wideout Vernell Brown III has been a leading voice but has missed two games with a knee injury and remains questionable for Saturday. Junior linebacker Myles Graham is another player capable of rallying the Gators with his words.

But teammates can grow accustomed to hearing the same voices. Wilson’s emergence — and ability to stay healthy — could be a positive sign for a young team searching for answers.

“It was great having Dallas step up,” Graham said Tuesday. “Having the same voice over and over again, it happens, that’s part of being a leader. But we do need other guys to step up and help get the team where we need to go.”

Can the Gators slow Colin Simmons?

Texas’ star edge rusher likely took notice of South Carolina’s Dylan Stewart dominating Florida’s offensive line.

Sumrall was sick to his stomach watching Simmons on film.

“He’s wow good,” Sumrall said Monday. “I really started to watch the tape last night, and I’m like, ‘All right, I’m just gonna turn this off. I don’t even want to watch this guy anymore right now.’ ”

Simmons and Stewart are projected to be the top two top edge rushers in the 2027 NFL draft. Stewart looked the part against Florida, recording a sack and forcing two fumbles after returning from a one-game suspension.

The 6-foot-3, 246-pound Simmons has been even more productive. He recorded two sacks against Oklahoma a week after racking up 5.5 at Tennessee the previous week. His 9.5 sacks lead the nation.

Florida’s struggling offensive line could be in for a long day, particularly right tackle Emeka Ugori. The sophomore Stanford transfer was at Stewart’s mercy, earning a pass-blocking grade of 2.1 out of 100, according to Pro Football Focus.

Faulkner plans to use chip blocks and provide extra help against Simmons.

“We got to know where he is,” Faulkner said.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Up next

What: UF (4-2, 2-2 SEC) at Texas (4-1, 1-1)

When: 12 p.m., Saturday

Where:Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin

TV: ABC

Favorite: Texas by 8.5 points

Source: Yahoo Sports