Brent Venables knows exactly what Oklahoma is walking into Saturday in “The Swamp.”
Florida’s ground game has been the engine behind the Gators’ 5-3 start and their No. 24 ranking, and Jadan Baugh sits at the center of it. The Florida back has piled up 801 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging more than five yards per carry, making him the biggest problem on the board for the Sooners.
The split in his production tells the story. In Florida’s five wins, Baugh has averaged 138.2 rushing yards per game.
In the three losses, that number drops all the way to 36.7. If Oklahoma can keep him from getting rolling early, it can force Florida out of the rhythm that has powered so much of its success.
Venables didn’t hide how much respect he has for Florida’s run game, and he made sure to single out Baugh.
"They’ve run the ball really, really well," Venables said."They’ve got a really good offensive line, excellent backs. Jadan Baugh is a Sunday player."
That’s the challenge for Oklahoma: win at the line of scrimmage, close off the running lanes and make Florida earn every yard. If Baugh starts stacking productive carries, the Gators can lean on the run, control the pace and open things up through the air.
For the Sooners, this is also about response. They gave up more than 500 yards against South Carolina, including 212 on the ground, so there’s plenty to clean up. Holding one of the SEC’s top backs in check would be a real step forward for a defense looking to reset itself.
In Other News...
Big 12 Shakeup Could Change What Oklahoma Is Up Against
Brett Yormarks decision to step down as Big 12 commissioner on Jan. 31 adds another layer of uncertainty to a conference that has already spent plenty of time adjusting to change. He said he plans to move into a new role outside college athletics, ending a run that helped steer the league through a turbulent stretch and into its next phase.
For Oklahoma, the timing matters because the Sooners are still navigating what the Big 12 looks like around them, even as their own future has shifted. A leadership transition at the top of the conference can influence everything from long-term direction to the way the league positions itself in a crowded national landscape, and the next commissioner will inherit a job with plenty of pressure attached. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma May Get A Crucial O Line Boost At Florida
A potentially important piece is trending in Oklahomas favor as the Sooners head to Florida, with center Jake Maikkula listed as probable after dealing with a lower-body injury. Any return up front would matter for an offense trying to steady itself on the road, especially against a Gators defense that is also dealing with its own injury concerns.
Oklahoma still has a few names to watch, though, with tight end Rocky Beers and defensive backs Peyton and Eli Bowen all listed as questionable. Floridas availability report is hardly cleaner, either, as the Gators are set to be without starting offensive tackle Emeka Ugorji and could also be missing multiple skill-position pieces, leaving both sides to sort through some late-week uncertainty before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma QB Future Faces One Big Test After Ben Arbuckle Firing
The fallout from Ben Arbuckles firing could have easily created some early anxiety in Oklahomas quarterback room, but the Sooners got a reassuring sign from the recruiting trail. Jamison Roberts, the 2027 commit out of Saraland High School, confirmed he is still locked in with Oklahoma after initially declining to comment, and his stance matters because he has emerged as one of the headliners in the class.
Roberts is coming off a strong senior season and carries four-star status, giving the Sooners a prized developmental piece even as the staff transition continues. Trey Tagliaferri, another quarterback commit in the 2028 class, also reaffirmed his pledge, which helps steady a position group that can be especially sensitive to coaching changes and gives Oklahoma at least some needed continuity for the future. [Read more 🡒]