Florida’s season may have taken a hard hit last week, but the Gators still have something tangible to chase when Oklahoma comes to The Swamp on Saturday: bowl eligibility. The College Football Playoff path looks all but gone after the loss to Georgia, yet there’s still plenty at stake in Gainesville.
Florida enters Week 10 at 5-3 overall and 3-3 in the SEC after getting overwhelmed by No. 2 Georgia in a 27-8 defeat that was even more lopsided than the final score suggests.
The Gators avoided their first shutout in 38 years, but the offense never found traction. Jadan Baugh was bottled up for 38 yards on 17 carries, while Aaron Philo returned after missing one game and managed just 26 passing yards with two interceptions before giving way to Tramell Jones Jr., who also threw a pick.
Oklahoma comes in with its own problems after a 42-25 home loss to South Carolina dropped the Sooners to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in the SEC. That defeat prompted Brent Venables to fire offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, with longtime Dallas Cowboy and current OU tight ends coach Jason Witten stepping in to handle play-calling.
Florida and Oklahoma meet Saturday night at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville. The game is set for a 7:45 p.m. kickoff and will air on SEC Network, with streaming available through Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.
Tickets were still available as of 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, with prices starting at $86. Lower-bowl seats began at $140.
The matchup also brings together two teams that have each beaten Texas 27-24 in mid-October and then struggled to build any real momentum. Florida looked like it might have solved some offensive issues after that Texas win, only to slide again after the bye. Oklahoma has been stuck in a win-loss-win-loss rhythm all season.
The Sooners’ offense has been especially shaky. Before Arbuckle’s firing, Oklahoma was averaging 22 points and 337 yards per game, numbers that ranked 108th and 111th nationally. John Mateer, the Washington State transfer who was expected to follow in Cam Ward’s footsteps, has thrown seven interceptions against 13 touchdowns, though he has gone two straight games with two touchdowns and no picks.
Florida’s offense may be the bigger question. The Gators scored more than 50 points in three of their first four games, but they have topped 20 points only once since then.
If the run game gets going again, Florida could attack an Oklahoma defense that ranks No. 10 against the run in the SEC. If the Gators are forced to rely on Aaron Philo or Tramell Jones Jr. to win it through the air, that plays into the Sooners’ hands, since Oklahoma owns the nation’s No. 16 pass defense and is tied for 15th in sacks.
In Other News...
Floridas Receiver Situation Just Got More Frustrating Before Oklahoma
Floridas receiver room keeps getting harder to sort out at exactly the wrong time. Vernell Brown was listed as probable for the Georgia game but ended up not playing, and now hes been tagged doubtful for Oklahoma as the Gators continue to work through an injury picture that has made weekly planning more complicated than usual.
The broader availability report only adds to the uncertainty, with four players ruled out and two more questionable ahead of the Oklahoma matchup. And with the quarterback situation still unsettled, Florida is heading into another week without much clarity on who will actually be available when the Gators take the field. [Read more 🡒]
Florida Suddenly Has A Major Lineup Problem Before Oklahoma
Floridas trip to Oklahoma now comes with a much different look than the one the Gators had in mind when the week began. Starting defensive tackle Jeramiah McCloud will be suspended for the game because of conduct detrimental to the team, and the injury report has only added to the uncertainty with receiver Vernell Brown III and defensive end Emmanuel Oyebadejo among the players listed as doubtful or questionable.
The lineup shuffling does not stop there. Florida also announced changes up front and at tight end, with replacements set to step in for starting right tackle Emekga Ugori and Evan Chieca, who will not play against Oklahoma. For a team already trying to steady itself, the timing leaves the Gators with several key spots to sort out before they take the field. [Read more 🡒]
Florida Suddenly Has A Depth Problem Ahead Of Oklahoma
Floridas first availability report for Oklahoma brought an immediate reminder that the margins are getting thin. Seven Gators showed up on the list, with wide receiver Vernell Brown III tagged as doubtful and four others already ruled out, leaving the staff to manage a short week with less flexibility than it would like heading into a game that already carries plenty of weight.
Jeramiah McClouds absence adds another layer to the depth issue, since the defensive lineman is suspended for conduct detrimental to the team and will have his status re-evaluated after the game. Jon Sumrall also addressed Browns injury situation, saying the receiver is still pushing to get back after a recent setback, but for now Florida is left waiting on bodies as much as it is on answers. [Read more 🡒]