The Florida Gators head to College Station with a 4-4 record as they face a struggling Texas A&M team on the road.
The Gators enter the game on a two-game losing streak and they need to get things back on the right track to become bowl eligible this month.
Texas A&M enters with a 3-5 record, and they have their own struggles which has set this game up to be a good one on Saturday.
There’s a lot of questions surrounding the team heading into the Texas A&M game and the GatorCountry team will give you their preview of the Texas A&M game as well as their predictions.
What are you keys for this team on offense this week?
AS: If the Gators can show just a little bit of a passing game, then I expect the Gators to be able to run the ball at will against an A&M team that struggles stopping the run. Ole Miss ran for over 300 yards last week including a lot of quarterback run which could be big for Anthony Richardson this week.
Nick: The Gators need to lean on their offensive line and running game in this one. TAMU allowed nearly 400 yards of rushing to Ole Miss a week ago and rank 13th in the SEC in rush defense. Florida’s strength this season has been the run game; I fully expect to see a ground and pound approach against the Aggies. Anthony Richardson will need to be a willing runner in week ten. Part of the reason the Rebels had so much success a week ago was Jaxson Dart’s threat to run.
Gentry: I would like to see Anthony Richardson hit more throws and be consistently accurate with the football Saturday. Once again, the two big keys here will be whether the Gators can get the run game going to take some pressure off Richardson. If so, hopefully Richardson will have a good game through the air and on his feet. If the Gators can do that on offense, I’m curious to see if the Aggies will be able to match it.
What do the Gators need to do on defense to slow down the Aggies with a freshman quarterback?
AS: They have to get pressure on Connor Weigman and force him to make quick decisions in the pocket. If the Gators give him a lot of time and allow him to be comfortable back there then Evan Stewart and the rest of the offense could score a lot of points against the Gators defense.
Nick: The Gators need to take advantage of a young and inconsistent Aggies’ offensive line. Creating pressure and making Conner Weigman progress through his reads is vital in this one. Running back Devon Achane is another player to keep an eye on in this one. He’s had an impressive season behind poor offensive line play. Gators need to set the edge and tackle well in week ten to limit Achane’s big play threat.
Gentry: The Gators must be able to do the little things Saturday afternoon against this Aggie offense. Getting in Connor Weigman’s face, making tackles, stopping the run and playing similar to how this Florida secondary played in the third quarter of last week’s game against Georgia would hopefully end up making it a good day for this Florida defense. Weigman and running back Devon Achane will be the two big players Florida will need to stop Saturday. Achane had 25 carries against Ole Miss for over 100 yards, and Weigman threw for 400 yards and four touchdowns. This Aggie offense looked better last weekend, but hopefully that comes to a halt this Saturday.
Anthony Richardson and the Gators offense struggled for most of the game against Georgia what do you want to see them do in order to get back on track?
AS: I want to see this team get back to being a physical football team that dominates in the running game. The last two games, the Gators have been forced to pass more but this week they should be able to run the ball and control the clock and game.
Nick: Florida needs to get in rhythm early this Saturday. On the road in a tough environment, a fast start is critical. The run game was nonexistent early against Georgia; Florida needs to get the run game going on the 1st drive against the Aggies.
Gentry: The running game for Florida this Saturday needs to come alive again for the Gators. Balancing out the run game as well as the passing game is key for Richardson to be successful with his legs and specifically through the air throwing the football. With Justin Shorter listed as questionable for Saturday, with a lower body injury, I’m curious to see who will step up in place of Shorter if he doesn’t dress out against the Aggies. It’ll be tough for Richardson to get back on track in the passing game with his top target not at full health this weekend, but I have faith in some of our younger receivers.
Who do you want to see get more snaps with Brenton Cox gone from the team?
AS: I would like to see what Jack Pyburn can do with some snaps, I think Powell and Lloyd Summerall will get the most snaps but Pyburn has a motor and that’s something that could help the Gators this week against a struggling A&M offensive line.
Nick: I want to see Llyod Summerall receive snaps in place of Brenton Cox. Summerall missed last week with an injury but is good to go in week ten. Summerall’s size is unique, he stands at 6-5, 231 pounds. We’ve primarily seen Antwuan Powell-Ryland behind Cox this season; He’s listed as the starter on the week ten depth chart.
Gentry: Antwaun Powell will get the start in place of Brenton Cox Saturday, but I have some other players in mind. On defense, personally I’d like to see Jadarrius Perkins get the majority of snaps this weekend over Tre’Vez Johnson after Perkins’ performance against Georgia. Johnson hasn’t played the best in coverage this year and I’d like to see rotation there this weekend. Offensively, I’d like to see Caleb Douglas get several snaps if Justin Shorter can’t play. Ja’Quavion Fraziars will be another receiver to keep an eye on Saturday.
What will be the keys for victory for the Gators this week?
AS: Controlling the line of scrimmages will determine this game from what I’ve seen from both teams and like all games, turnovers could be huge for whoever wins that battle.
Nick: The Gators will need to force turnovers defensively. Conner Weigman is a true freshman and making just his 2nd career start against the Gators. Florida’s done a decent job of creating turnovers in 2022, they’ll need to continue that trend and rattle the young QB in week ten. Richardson will need to showcase his willingness to run against the Aggies. Florida’s offense is just that much better when Richardson’s running the football.
Gentry: The Gators need to play great football on both offense and defense this weekend if they want to win this football game. Richardson must be able to consistently make his throws and be on target behind a strong running game to out play the Aggies. The defense needs to be able to tackle, force turnovers and not give up big plays in the air. If the Gators can do that, and play sound football on both sides, I think Florida has a great chance at winning.
Gives us your prediction on how this game will turn out?
AS: I think this is a good match-up for Florida as Texas A&M doesn’t do a good job of stopping the run and the Gators like to run the ball as much as possible. On defense, the Gators have to stop Evan Stewart but I believe they can get pressure on the Aggies. I have Florida winning 31-24.
Nick: I like how Florida matches up with the Aggies this year. I believe Florida will find success running the football with relative ease this Saturday. I think Weigman and this Texas A&M offense will be aggressive and take shots downfield against Florida’s weak secondary. Florida will come away with a turnover or two and it’s going to be just enough to pull out the win.
Florida 31-24
Gentry: I have the Gators winning 31-20 in a close football game until the second half. I think A&M hangs in this game with a decent game on the ground and several missed tackles on defense for Florida. I’m curious to see if the defensive line will be able to apply pressure and rattle Connor Weigman after Brenton Cox was dismissed from the team. The Gators can win this game with ease if they can learn to play efficient football on both sides.