By no means thoughts that Florida is 2-3 and has but to win on the street this yr.
In keeping with Texas A&M coach Mike Elko, his fifth-ranked workforce will probably be going through its hardest opponent this yr when the Gators invade School Station for a Southeastern Convention matchup Saturday evening.
“By far and away, probably the most gifted workforce we have performed this yr,” Elko mentioned. “They have a wonderful group of gamers. They’ve performed a really aggressive schedule. They’ve performed in two top-10 environments already, so they will be well-versed in what that is like.”
That being mentioned, there’s a purpose the Aggies (5-0, 2-0 Southeastern Convention) are robust favorites and ranked within the high 5. They’ve confirmed they’ll win any sort of recreation, whether or not it is a blowout (Utah State), a shootout (Notre Dame) or a defensive slugfest (Auburn).
A 31-9 dwelling win over Mississippi State final week in all probability developments nearer to the Auburn recreation than the Utah State contest. It was 7-3 at halftime and 14-3 after three quarters earlier than Texas A&M lastly obtained a working margin with two fast fourth-quarter touchdowns.
The protection has carried the Aggies by way of the groups’ first two SEC video games. Texas A&M allowed solely 19 factors complete, routinely profitable on first and second downs earlier than locking down on third down. Opponents have transformed simply 1 of 23 the previous two weeks.
“A big a part of our success is we have been very a lot in advantageous third-down conditions,” Elko mentioned. “A workforce goes first-and-10, second-and-6, third-and-2, your third-down share is clearly not going to almost be what it has been for us.”
The Texas A&M offense is paced by quarterback Marcel Reed, who has accomplished 59.7 p.c of his passes for 1,256 yards and 11 touchdowns with three interceptions. Le’Veon Moss has added 343 yards and 5 scores on the bottom.
In the meantime, Florida (2-3, 1-1) snapped a three-game shedding streak final week with a formidable 29-21 dwelling win over then-No. 9 Texas, a consequence that despatched the Longhorns plummeting all the way in which out of the Prime 25.
Sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway shredded the Texas protection for 298 yards on 21-of-28 passing, throwing for 2 touchdowns. The Gators’ protection allowed simply 52 yards on the bottom and compelled Arch Manning to go it alone, sacking him six occasions and intercepting two passes to offset 263 yards and two scores.
It was an enormous win for embattled coach Billy Napier, who landed again within the sizzling seat after consecutive losses to South Florida, then-No. 3 LSU and then-No. 4 Miami (Fla.). After getting the response to adversity he wished, he’s desirous to see how the workforce handles success towards a top-five opponent on the street.
“Obtained to show round and play an impressive workforce,” Napier mentioned. “That is an extremely gifted (Texas A&M) workforce. Huge, lengthy and quick. A really robust, bodily group. We respect the opponent, clearly.
“The quarterback is ready to make unannounced performs. It is going to be a terrific problem, and we’ll must be at our greatest. It is what you’ll anticipate on this league.”
Lagway has thrown for 988 yards and 7 touchdowns however has additionally tossed seven interceptions. Jadan Baugh leads the bottom recreation with 396 yards and three scores.
The Aggies personal a 4-3 sequence lead, together with a 33-20 victory final yr in Gainesville, Fla.
–Area Stage Media