The Gators travel to College Station, where they will face the 1-1 Texas A&M Aggies.
The following are our staff’s predictions for Florida-Texas A&M:
At the start of the season, I had Florida on upset alert at College Station. However, I think we will see a lot of cohesion come Saturday afternoon. Florida’s defenders have been taking criticism on the chin and owning up to their mistakes. I think they’ll really get it clicking against the Aggies, especially considering Kellen Mond’s talent. Offensively, the offensive line will have to prove how improved they really are as they square up against the best defensive front they’ve seen all season. Nonetheless, I take by my knee jerk decision to put them on upset alert. Florida rolls 35-13.
The Gators will take on a Texas A&M team coming off an embarrassing loss to Alabama (52-24). Perhaps more embarrassing, though, the Aggies almost lost to Vanderbilt in their season opener, winning just 17-12. Maybe we’ve overrated this team this year? Star QB Kellen Mond did throw for over 300 yards against Alabama and the Tide definitely has a better secondary than Florida. Expect a shootout in College Station, Gators: 41-28.
Well, I think I bought too much into the defense last week. Until they show me they can get off the field for long drives or points I’m going to go ahead and say Florida wins but has to score at least 30 to win this game. Which I obviously think they can do. A&M really hasn’t impressed me thus far and I think Mond turns the ball over some this game. Florida 42 – Texas A&M 27.
This is a matchup of two defenses struggling to consistently stop opponents. A&M is allowing 400 yards of total offense a game this season not to mention opposing QBs completing 71 percent of their passes on average. Florida’s total defense is even worse at almost 500 a game. Thing is Kyle Trask and Co. get it in the endzone a lot more than Kellen Mond and the Aggie offense and that’ll likely help them leave College Station with a W.. A low-scoring affair would certainly be unexpected. Watch out for Ainias Smith. Jalen Wydermyer and Chase Lane on the A&M offense. The Gators could take advantage of TAMU losing senior Grayson Reed on the offensive line to get some sacks. But Mond could create problems as Florida struggled with contain so far this season. Florida 35-24.
Texas A&M has a couple of good lines. They could present some challenges in the trenches and I believe that we will truly know just how much the Gators’ offensive line has actually improved by the end of this game. However, I think Florida will get just enough pressure on Mond to make him uncomfortable and, potentially, force a couple of mistakes. On the other side of the ball, A&M has been abysmal in the secondary and, although the Gators haven’t been great in that area either, they will be facing a much more lethal passing attack from Kyle Trask and the Gators’ receiving corps. Add in a healthy dose of Kyle Pitts, who will once again be a matchup nightmare, and the Gators will leave Kyle Field with a victory. Florida wins, 35-24.
Florida and Texas A&M are set for a noon (ET) kickoff from Kyle Field. The game will be televised on ESPN with Dave Pasch, Greg McElroy, and Holly Rowe on the call.