The Texas Longhorns begin a pivotal portion of their season on Saturday as they travel to Gainesville for their first SEC contest since joining the conference.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian‘s team, ranked No. 9 nationally, has recovered from an opening-week defeat to Ohio State by defeating San Jose State, UTEP, and Sam Houston in succession.
The 3-1 Longhorns now face four consecutive road games, a stretch that will play a major role in determining their postseason trajectory.
Their Week 5 opponent, the Florida Gators, has endured a difficult start at 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the SEC. Florida has dropped three straight games under freshman quarterback DJ Lagway but will look to reset its season with a home test against a top-10 opponent at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Player availability raises questions for Texas
As Texas prepares for its conference debut, injuries remain a major storyline. Sophomore running back CJ Baxter, who missed all of last season due to a knee injury, is again sidelined with a hamstring issue suffered in the opener.
He has not returned to action and is listed as doubtful. Baxter‘s continued absence limits Texas’ depth in the backfield and places additional pressure on Arch Manning and the passing game.
The SEC’s availability report also designated wide receiver Emmett Mosley V, running back Tre Wisner, and defensive backs Kobe Black and Malik Muhammad as questionable.
Defensive back Xavier Filsaime, however, is expected to play. Sarkisian has stressed that player health will shape how his offense supports Manning, who is still adjusting to the starting role.
Through four games, Manning has thrown for 888 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions while adding 123 rushing yards and five scores.
While those numbers demonstrate his dual-threat ability, the performance has been inconsistent. The opening loss to Ohio State, in particular, highlighted areas where decision-making and composure must improve against top defenses.
Sarkisian, though, has urged patience. When previewing Florida’s defense, he noted its reliance on experienced secondary play and two-deep coverage schemes. Rather than overhauling the offensive system, he emphasized that Manning needs time and stability to grow within it.
Texas’ playoff positioning illustrates both opportunity and risk. According to the PFSN College Football Playoff Meter, the Longhorns carry a 41.9 percent probability of making the playoff, ranking ninth nationally.
They are rated third in overall power ranking, but their strength of schedule sits at 73rd, indicating that significant tests remain ahead.
Defensively, Texas has been among the most efficient units in the country with a 90.5 impact score, while its offensive impact rating of 75.2 reflects the uneven production that has surfaced in the opening month.
The trip to Gainesville marks more than a conference debut. It begins a road sequence that will test Texas’ depth, its young quarterback’s growth, and the team’s readiness to contend for a championship in its first SEC season.
A strong performance against Florida would stabilize momentum, but setbacks in execution or health could reshape the Longhorns‘ postseason path.
This news was originally published on this post .
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