GAINESVILLE — Florida’s visit to No. 5 Texas A&M on Saturday night (7 p.m., ESPN) continues the Gators’ gauntlet of Top 10 opponents, along with the Billy Napier watch.
A 29-21 upset of No. 9 Texas last week could ignite a run and earn the embattled coach another season or prove fool’s gold after the Gators (2-3, 1-1 SEC) dominated a leaky line of scrimmage and overwhelmed quarterback Arch Manning.
Coach Mike Elko’s Aggies (5-0, 2-0) will pose different challenges, beginning with one of the nation’s toughest environments at Kyle Field — where 108,572 fans were on hand for last weekend’s 31-9 win against Mississippi State.
Whether the Gators can finally beat a ranked team on the road, where UF is 0-12 against top-25 teams under Napier during the regular season, will be among the many questions during Saturday night’s showdown.
How limited is Lagway?
Quarterback DJ Lagway left the field gingerly after the Gators’ second series against Texas, having re-aggravated a leg injury.
A four-minute visit to the injury tent and some pain medication allowed him to return. Despite limited mobility, Lagway produced his best performance of 2025, fulfilling his vow that the struggling Gators’ attack was about “to pop.”
He finished 21 of 28 for 298 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception, for a passer rating 180.8 — the sophomore’s best as a starter against FBS competition other than a 191.1 mark during a rout of Kentucky in 2024.
Most impressive was Lagway’s quick decision-making and accuracy.
“It was almost shocking,” All-American Jake Slaughter said. “I mean it was in three seconds … that ball was gone. He was super efficient.”
Lagway entered the Gators’ bye week lost after a 5-interception night at LSU and 61-yard effort at Miami.
Florida wide receiver Tre Wilson (3) runs for a first down as USF safety Jarvis Lee Jr. (0) chases him during the Bulls’ 18-16 upset of the Gators Sept. 6 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Two weeks later, he looked like the quarterback who ended 2024 a rising star. Lagway also would continue to battle soft tissue issues to his core, shoulder and calf.
But the Gators reeled off a four-game winning streak last season after Lagway returned from a hamstring strain suffered Nov. 2 against Georgia. Against Texas, he thrived while Slaughter and Co. didn’t allow a sack.
The game plan also called for some QB runs Napier had to set aside. The Aggies’ pass rush, led by SEC sack leader Cashius Howell, with 7, will have a distinct advantage if Lagway is stationary.
Where’s Tre Wilson?
Eager to move past a hip injury that ended his 2024 season, the redshirt sophomore receiver has been a non-factor.
Targeted once against Texas, he ended without a catch for the first time at UF. This, after he managed 1 reception for 7 yards at Miami and 2 for 10 yards at LSU.
How coaches have utilized Wilson has been puzzling, even during his breakout 2023 season. He led the team with 61 receptions and 6 touchdowns, but averaged just 8.8 yards per catch
But these days, true freshman Vernell Brown III has eclipsed him, while assuming duties as punt returner and primary ballcarrier on jet sweeps. Dallas Wilson’s record-setting debut further marginalized Wilson, who will either find his way back or sink deeper into the shadows.
Does cornerback Cormani McClain bounce back?
The redshirt sophomore had a tough day during his first start in the Swamp, allowing 5 catches over 7 targets for 118 yards — more than he had all season (111).
Florida’s scheme leaves McClain on an island, responsible for field coverage while senior Devin Moore receives safety help on the boundary side. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, one of the game’s top play callers, quickly targeted McClain.
The Lakeland native allowed a 38-yard touchdown to Ryan Wingo. More than once, McClain benefitted from Florida’s relentless pass rush, which registered 6 sacks and pressured Manning 23 times.
“The field corner gets isolated in the coverages we play,” Napier said. “Sark’s a good coach, and he knows where the one-on-ones are.”
McClain’s day wasn’t all bad, in his coach’s estimation.
“He was highly competitive in the game, and the ball went his way,” Napier said. “You play corner this league, gonna make a few and you’re gonna give up a few. The key is that you continue to compete.”
McClain will be tested against Texas A&M, where Mario Craver leads the SEC with 30 receptions for 557 yards (4 scores) and KC Concepcion is second with 5 touchdowns on 24 catches.
How formidable is the 12th Man?
The Aggies are 4-0 at home this season, winning by an average of 17 points, after going 5-2 in Elko’s debut season, with losses to Notre Dame and Texas — two eventual CFP semifinalists.
A big reason is the so-called “12th man”, or the roughy 38,000 student attendees who flood Kyle Field and do not sit down the entire game. Elko aims to recapture the days when the Aggies dominated at home, highlighted by 31 straight wins from 1990 to 1995 and 22 straight from 1996 to 2000.
The 12th man tradition began in 1922 when E. King Gill, a member of the basketball team and former Aggies’ football player, was summoned from the press box — where he served as a spotter — and suited up because of a rash of injuries.
Coach Dana X. Bible never needed Gill. Yet, he stood on the sideline as the only player on the team’s bench — the 12th man — while wearing the jersey of injured running back Heine Weir during A&M’s 22-14 upset of top-ranked Centre College in Dallas.
While Gill’s enduring legacy inspires one of college football toughest environments, the Gators are 2-1 in to College Station — winning in 2012 and 2022, under Napier, and losing in 2020.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
