Texas-Florida betting line is low and CFB experts reveal why this is the case for Saturday’s SEC matchup
Prior to the start of the season, most thought Texas-Florida was going to be high-flying. This is not the case for Saturday.
No. 9 Texas (3-1) is ready to get back on the field after the bye week. The offense has had two weeks to get ready for Florida (1-3, 0-1) and the defense is chomping at the bit to once again prove it’s the real deal.
Saturday is a big-time spot for both programs. Like a PGA Tour event, this weekend is “moving day” for the Longhorns and Gators. Two football teams currently going in two totally different directions will go at it in the Swamp in front of 90,000 people at 2:30pm CT.
Steve Sarkisian is trying to get his program back to the SEC title game in Atlanta and back in the CFP discussion. Billy Napier is just trying to keep his head above the proverbial water.
Texas Longhorns News
Multiple Texas players reveal the major key to beating Florida in the Swamp Saturday
Saturday is going to be loud, but Texas is preparing accordingly.
Texas is favored by just 6.5 points Saturday.
A lot of this has to be attributed to Arch Manning and the offense sputtering out of the gates. It also is a direct reflection of the injuries the Longhorns have piled up on offense. Tre Wisner has not played since the opener and CJ Baxter was injured on the first play versus San Jose State. And the wide receiver room has yet to be completed since Stanford transfer Emmett Mosley V has yet to make his debut in the burnt orange.
The good news is Texas’ defense is one of the best units in the country.
“Defense travels, and Texas has had two weeks to get its act together on offense,” Danny Davis said. “A trip to Florida was once considered worrisome on the Texas schedule, but I don’t think that is the case anymore.”
This does not bode well for a Florida offense which is also not fully-operational.
“Coach Billy Napier’s bunch has its collective back against the wall, but an inept Gator offense will struggle enough against an elite Texas offense in a bare-fisted fight of an SEC opener,” Thomas Jones said.
There’s a major matchup in the trenches which could dictate this one.
Florida’s center Jake Slaughter is one of if not the best center in the entire country. At 6-foot-4, 308 pounds, he is a load up front. The Texas defensive line is also a load and will be looking to move him off his spot. The preseason All-SEC first-team selection will need to lead the way Saturday to not only protect DJ Lagway, but make everyone else on the line is on the same page in order to pave the way for Jaden Baugh.
Defensive tackles Hero Kanu and Maraad Watson will team with the rest of the unit to try and slow down Florida’s attack. Baugh is averaging close to six yards per carry while Texas is the top-ranked rush defense in the SEC. Nevertheless, Baugh will be the best running back the Longhorns have faced thus far.
“Don’t expect perfection from Arch Manning and the Texas offense, but the Longhorns have the better defense and the better coaching staff,” David Eckert said. “That gives them a leg up on the road against a reeling Florida program.”
This one is sure to be a rock fight and low-scoring. It might come down to which quarterback makes the least amount of mistakes and limits the errors early.
