No. 9 Texas football begins SEC road stretch versus Florida in Swamp

No. 9 Texas (3-1) opens an eight-game SEC stretch at struggling Florida (1-3) in Gainesville Saturday, a matchup that already feels like a make-or-break moment for Gators coach Billy Napier after a rocky start to the season. Florida’s defense has flashed and the Swamp’s hostile environment — plus a history of rattling quarterbacks — gives the Gators a chance to pull an upset despite being 6½-point underdogs. The key for Florida is sophomore QB DJ Lagway, who has been inconsistent (690 yards, five TDs, six INTs through four games) and must be sharper and more decisive for the offense to click. Texas enters off tough nonconference tests and coach Steve Sarkisian praised an urgent, physical week of practice as the Longhorns prepare for a daunting, road-heavy SEC slate. Texas will be without RB CJ Baxter (out) with CB Malik Muhammad listed as questionable and several others probable, while Florida will lean on home-field energy to disrupt Arch Manning and company. The game — Texas’ first trip to Gainesville since 1940 — will test Texas’ road-warrior mentality and could reshape narratives for both programs early in conference play.