Florida and Texas A&M will face off in week three for the seventh time in history including the third time in Gainesville. The lead in the series is up for grabs as the Gators and Aggies are tied at 3-3 all-time in head-to-head matchups.
Both teams hold a 1-1 record entering the contest with a loss to a ranked team at home and a win over an FCS opponent. Florida is currently 3.5-point underdogs, according to Hard Rock Bet.
Let’s see how Florida and Texas A&M match up statistically through two weeks.
Total offense
Florida: 446.5 YPG (44th)
Texas A&M: 387.5 YPG (74th)
Scoring offense
Florida: 31.0 PPG (69th)
Texas A&M: 32.5 PPG (60th)
Passing offense
Florida: 294 YPG (32nd)
Texas A&M: 148 YPG (118th)
Rushing offense
Florida: 152.5 YPG (75th)
Texas A&M: 239.5 YPG (23rd)
Total defense
Florida: 367 YPG (87th)
Texas A&M: 317.5 YPG (73rd)
Scoring defense
Florida: 24 PPG (84th)
Texas A&M: 16.5 PPG (53rd)
Passing defense
Florida: 264.5 YPG (112th)
Texas A&M: 128.5 YPG (23rd)
Rushing defense
Florida: 102.5 YPG (46th)
Texas A&M: 189 YPG (109th)
Penalties per game
Florida: 4.5 (27th)
Texas A&M: 4.5 (27th)
Turnovers lost
Florida: 3 (T-78th)
Texas A&M: 2 (T-51st)
Turnovers gained
Florida: 2 (T-64th)
Texas A&M: 2 (T-64th)
Team sacks
Florida: 5 (39th)
Texas A&M: 1 (118th)
Sacks allowed
Florida: 3 (60th)
Texas A&M: 2 (32nd)
3rd down conversion %
Florida: .30% (113th)
Texas A&M: .43% (55th)
3rd down defense
Florida: .44% (107th)
Texas A&M: .33% (60th)
Keys to victory
Stop the run
The Aggies have run the ball on 58% of their offensive plays through two weeks and haven’t found much success through the air. Florida needs to get off to a hot start and force Texas A&M to throw their gameplan out the window. Force A&M QB Conner Weigman to beat you through the air.
Offensive line has to hold up
Regardless of who is at quarterback for the Gators, Florida will need to play well along the offensive line if they want a chance at winning this game. Texas A&M has a number of lengthy, athletic, and talented edge rushers that Florida will need to neutralize. The Aggies are allowing 189 rushing yards per game through two weeks, which ranks 109th in the FBS. Florida needs a rushing attack that can get into the second level of the defense to force the Aggies’ secondary to make open field tackles, which they have not been able to do consistently.
Players to watch
1. RB Le’Veon Moss #8
2. QB Conner Weigman #15
3. DE Nic Scourton #11
4. DE Shemar Stewart #4
5. WR Cyrus Allen #6
You can read more about my players to watch here.