The Florida Gators host No.9 Texas in week six of the 2025 season. Billy Napier’s squad is fresh off a bye week after losing three straight games, most recently a 26-7 loss to in-state rival Miami.
It’s just the fifth meeting between Florida and Texas all time and the second in the past 84 years, as last year’s matchup in Austin, Tex. represented the first in the series since 1940.
The temperature in Gainesville is red hot. Florida may already be out of playoff contention with three losses but adding another would end any glimmer of hope by week six of the college football season. Another loss may also end the Billy Napier era at UF.
Texas comes into town with a 3-1 record (0-0 SEC) with their only loss on the road at No.1 Ohio State. The Longhorns have been carried by their defense through four games, which is easily one of the better units in college football.
Under defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski, Texas holds the 4th ranked defense in the country, allowing just 211.0 yards per game. The Longhorns have allowed just 31 points on the season, equating to 7.75 per game which trails only Ohio State.
It all starts up front. Texas gets after the quarterback, recording 11 sacks and 63 pressures through four games. The Longhorns are led by edge rusher Colin Simmons, but it’s not just a one man show in Austin. Texas has had eight different defenders record a sack, which speaks to their depth and talent level in the front seven.
The Longhorns aren’t giving up much in the run game, allowing under 60 rushing yards per game and 2.13 yards per carry. Texas also holds the 11th best coverage grade in the country, according to Pro Football Focus.
Teams that are great on first and second down often find themselves with a top ranked third down defense. That’s exactly the case with Texas, who holds opponents to a .236% third down conversion rate, the 4th best in the country.
Anywhere you look, the Longhorns are sound on defensively. It’s important to note that Texas hasn’t played a power four team since week one, and that certainly can skew early season statistics. But if you look at their recent high school classes, which ranked 3rd, 5th, and 1st, it’s not difficult to see the talent running around on defense.
Texas’ offense has been a completely different story. It’s a unit that’s struggled even against inferior competition such as UTEP and San Jose State.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Arch Manning has not lived up to his lofty expectations, a lot like Florida quarterback DJ Lagway. Against Ohio State to open the season, Manning threw for just 170 yards on 31 attempts, tossing one touchdown and one interception. After a better performance vs. San Jose State, Manning had his worst game of the season against UTEP, completing 11 of 25 passes for 114 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Manning has been effective on the ground, however. The dual threat QB has rushed for 130 yards and five touchdowns while only being sacked three times. Keeping Manning in the pocket will be a key to victory on Saturday. Florida needs to fill their rush lanes and contain the mobile quarterback
While the Longhorns record over 200 rushing yards per game, it’s mostly on sheer volume. Texas doesn’t have a single running back averaging more than 5.0 yards per carry, which is fairly concerning given their level of competition. Texas has struggled to pave clear running lanes, grading as the 55th best run blocking unit in the country, according to PFF. Nonetheless, it’s clear that Texas will look to run the ball early and often vs. Florida with a struggling passing game.
Longhorns to watch
Edge Colin Simmons
Simmons is already one of the best, if not the best, defender in college football as a sophomore. He leads Texas in pressures (9), QB hits (4) and sacks (1.5). You may remember him from his freshman campaign last season, where he recorded nine sacks, three forced fumbles, and one interception. The 6’3, 240-pound edge rusher looks like a future top ten pick in the NFL Draft.
WR Parker Livingstone
The redshirt freshman is in the middle of a breakout season, hauling in 11 passes for a team high 232 yards and three touchdowns. Livingstone is averaging 21.1 yards per catch, good enough for 16th in the country. The 6’4, 191 pound wide receiver will line up at the slot and out wide, finding most of his success deep down the field.
Safety Michael Taaffe
The senior safety leads Texas’ defense in snaps and grades as their best defender through four weeks. Taaffe has a team high 25 tackles on the season without missing a single tackle.
Florida vs Texas is set for a 3:30 p.m. eastern on ESPN.