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Florida Upset Texas, What Happened?
Florida’s early momentum took a hit with back-to-back losses, and for two weeks the Gators looked more like a team still searching for answers than one ready to contend. Their trip to Austin did not start any better, with a last-minute quarterback change and a quick 14-point deficit. Still, Florida left with a win.
The 27-24 win over No. 7 Texas moved Florida to 5-2 overall and 3-2 in the SEC, setting up their final tune-up before facing Georgia on October 31 in Atlanta. With both teams now having a week to regroup, Georgia’s open date comes after a 27-24 loss to Auburn that ended the Bulldogs’ unbeaten run and likely reset the tone of their preparations.
Quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. was the main storyline in Austin. Filling in for Aaron Philo, who missed the game with a shoulder injury, Jones finished 22-of-35 for 155 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions. The stat line will not turn heads, but Jones steadied himself after a rough start and managed the offense well enough to keep Florida in the game when it mattered.
Texas built a 17-3 lead in the second quarter, with a punt-return touchdown providing a boost. After that, Jones connected with tight end Lacota Dippre for a touchdown before halftime, then led a methodical 15-play, 69-yard drive that took over eight minutes and ended with another Dippre score. Florida eventually moved ahead and got a key fourth-quarter touchdown from Jadan Baugh, who finished with 25 carries for 91 yards.
Jadan Baugh is still the first name on Georgia’s scouting report. He ran for 162 yards and three touchdowns in Florida’s win at Auburn back in September, and the Gators’ 4-0 start owed plenty to an offense that could both run and throw effectively. But that changed with back-to-back losses to Missouri and South Carolina, where the running game stalled, the defense gave up a combined 83 points, and the early optimism faded.
The win at Texas did not erase those issues. Instead, Florida finished with just 313 total yards and averaged 3.9 yards per play. Jones threw for less than five yards per attempt, and the Gators rarely stretched the field vertically. They did control the ball for over 38 minutes, convert eight of 11 third downs in the second half, and avoid turnovers. For a team still figuring out its quarterback situation, that approach is workable.
Florida’s defense was the bigger surprise. After giving up 393 yards per game coming in, the Gators held Texas to 272 yards, sacked Arch Manning five times, and allowed just two third-down conversions on ten attempts. In addition, linebacker Myles Graham forced a late fumble that Kanye Clark recovered to seal the win. Whether this signals real progress or a one-off performance remains unclear.
Personnel questions will be a focus during the off week. In addition to Philo’s shoulder, Florida has also had to manage injuries to receivers Vernell Brown III and Bailey Stockton. Jones has done enough to earn trust, but Georgia must prepare for more than one possible starter at quarterback.
The matchup now looks more interesting for one clear reason: Florida showed it can win with fewer yards by taking care of the football, sustaining drives, and making a timely play on defense. Georgia turned the ball over three times against Auburn and lost despite gaining 436 yards.
For Georgia, the task is not to worry about a Florida team suddenly on the rise. It is to recognize that the Gators have found a formula that works for them. Georgia’s own experience last week also showed that outgaining an opponent does not always guarantee a win.
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