By no means thoughts that Florida is 2-3 and has but to win on the street this yr.
Based on Texas A&M coach Mike Elko, his fifth-ranked group might be dealing with its hardest opponent this yr when the Gators invade Faculty Station for a Southeastern Convention matchup Saturday night time.
“By far and away, essentially the most proficient group we have performed this yr,” Elko stated. “They have a superb group of gamers. They’ve performed a really aggressive schedule. They’ve performed in two top-10 environments already, so they’ll be well-versed in what that is like.”
That being stated, there’s a purpose the Aggies (5-0, 2-0 Southeastern Convention) are robust favorites and ranked within the prime 5. They’ve confirmed they will win any sort of recreation, whether or not it is a blowout (Utah State), a shootout (Notre Dame) or a defensive slugfest (Auburn).
A 31-9 house win over Mississippi State final week most likely developments nearer to the Auburn recreation than the Utah State contest. It was 7-3 at halftime and 14-3 after three quarters earlier than Texas A&M lastly obtained a working margin with two fast fourth-quarter touchdowns.
The protection has carried the Aggies by means of the groups’ first two SEC video games. Texas A&M allowed solely 19 factors complete, routinely successful on first and second downs earlier than locking down on third down. Opponents have transformed simply 1 of 23 the previous two weeks.
“A big a part of our success is we have been very a lot in advantageous third-down conditions,” Elko stated. “A group goes first-and-10, second-and-6, third-and-2, your third-down share is clearly not going to just about be what it has been for us.”
The Texas A&M offense is paced by quarterback Marcel Reed, who has accomplished 59.7 % of his passes for 1,256 yards and 11 touchdowns with three interceptions. Le’Veon Moss has added 343 yards and 5 scores on the bottom.
In the meantime, Florida (2-3, 1-1) snapped a three-game dropping streak final week with a powerful 29-21 house win over then-No. 9 Texas, a consequence that despatched the Longhorns plummeting all the best way out of the Prime 25.
Sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway shredded the Texas protection for 298 yards on 21-of-28 passing, throwing for 2 touchdowns. The Gators’ protection allowed simply 52 yards on the bottom and compelled Arch Manning to go it alone, sacking him six instances and intercepting two passes to offset 263 yards and two scores.
It was an enormous win for embattled coach Billy Napier, who landed again within the scorching seat after consecutive losses to South Florida, then-No. 3 LSU and then-No. 4 Miami (Fla.). After getting the response to adversity he wished, he’s desirous to see how the group handles success in opposition to a top-five opponent on the street.
“Obtained to show round and play an impressive group,” Napier stated. “That is an extremely proficient (Texas A&M) group. Huge, lengthy and quick. A really powerful, bodily group. We respect the opponent, clearly.
“The quarterback is ready to make unannounced performs. It should be an awesome problem, and we’ll should be at our greatest. It is what you’ll count on on this league.”
Lagway has thrown for 988 yards and 7 touchdowns however has additionally tossed seven interceptions. Jadan Baugh leads the bottom recreation with 396 yards and three scores.
The Aggies personal a 4-3 collection lead, together with a 33-20 victory final yr in Gainesville, Fla.
–Area Degree Media
