When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Where: Kyle Field, College Station, Texas
Latest line: Texas A&M is favored by 7.5 points
TV: ESPN
Weather: 84 degrees, 3% rain chance
Coaches: Billy Napier 21-22 (61-34 overall), Mike Elko 13-5 (29-14 overall)
Quick slant: The Gators seek their first regular-season road win against a ranked opponent in their 13th attempt under Napier. Texas A&M leads the series 4-3, including a 33-20 win in 2024 at the Swamp. The Aggies’ staff features two former UF assistants, Jay Bateman, the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, and defensive line coach Sean Spencer.
About UF (2-3, 1-1 SEC): The Gators enter following their most complete performance. Against Texas, UF totaled 457 yards, 6 sacks and 2 interceptions — all season-highs against four FBS opponents. True freshman Dallas Wilson’s 6 catches for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns were school records by a receiver in his first start.
Florida wide receiver Dallas Wilson (6) scores a 55-yard touchdown as he runs over Texas defensive back Michael Taaffe during the Gators’ 29-21 win agains Texas Oct. 4 in the Swamp. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
About Texas A&M (5-0, 2-0): The Aggies ran for a season-high 299 yards and scored 24 unanswered points to beat Mississippi State 31-9. Elko’s squad struggles with penalties, ranking 123rd of 136 teams nationally with 47 for 375 yards.
Three things to watch
1. Containing QB Marcel Reed. While beating UF in his first career start, Reed rushed for 83 yards and a score on 13 carries, while finishing 11-of-17 passing for 173 yards and 2 touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound redshirt sophomore has completed just 59.7% of his passes this season, but receivers KC Concepcion and Mario Craver have 9 touchdowns.
2. Third down. Texas A&M limited Auburn and MSU to a combined 1 for 23 on third-down conversions. UF was a 7 of 14 against Texas, the Gators’ best effort all season on the so-called “money down.”
3. Explosive pass plays. The Aggies have 33 plays of at least 20 yards against FBS foes, second in the SEC, while Florida has 11 to rank last. But the Gators had four against Texas, including a 60-yard catch by Vernell Brown III and a 55-yarder by Wilson.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
