DALLAS, TEXAS - OCTOBER 10: Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns looks to the sideline during the first half of a game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Cotton Bowl on October 10, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
DALLAS, TEXAS - OCTOBER 10: Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns looks to the sideline during the first half of a game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Cotton Bowl on October 10, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images · Getty Images

The recurring issues for the Texas Longhorns finally cost them in the most frustrating way possible — missing multiple opportunities to beat their biggest rival in Saturday’s 27-24 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners. But as Steve Sarkisian said postgame, the season isn’t over, and they return home to continue SEC play against the Florida Gators, who are coming off an embarrassing loss of their own.

Despite their struggles in Dallas, Texas opened as a 9.5-point favorite over the Gators on FanDuel, with an over/under of 52.5 points.

Florida, with new head coach Jon Sumrall, looked like a wagon to start SEC play, knocking off Auburn 44-39 before dismantling then No. 4 Ole Miss, 52-28. However, they quickly came crashing back down, getting blown out by Missouri two weeks ago and doubled up by a South Carolina squad that hadn’t won an SEC game since last September.

A big part of the Gators’ struggles over the last two games is that teams have found ways to contain running back Jadan Baugh, who failed to reach 100 yards in either contest. His 72 yards in those two games is his lowest two-game total since October of 2024, in his first two games with significant snaps. He combined for 55 yards against Mississippi State and UCF, but the Gators went 1-1 in those games.

Texas fans likely have vivid memories of how Baugh can impact a game, with his 2025 performance against the Longhorns playing a large part in keeping them out of last year’s College Football Playoff. the 29-21 loss to open SEC play showed the flaws of the 2025 team that cost them later in SEC play.

However, this Texas team has been excellent on the ground, giving up just 2.81 yards per carry and holding all but one opponent to under 100 yards on the ground. In the last two weeks, Texas has given up just 153 yards on 74 carries, an anemic 2.07 yards per attempt.

That said, perhaps the biggest test for Texas as they host Florida will not happen between the white lines. The biggest test for Texas is shaking off the emotional loss to the Sooners and not letting one game beat you twice.

Kick is at 11 a.m. Central on ABC.

Source: Yahoo Sports