Take Five Breakdown: Not the marquee matchup that was expected

Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators

• Parental Perspective: Florida Football Parental RoundTable
• Parental Perspective: Four-star’s father talks about the process and the UF staff
• September Superlatives
• OTM: Five-Game Stretch Should Determine Napier’s Future

The Florida Gators (1-3, 0-1 SEC) host the No. 9 Texas Longhorns (3-1, 0-0 SEC) on Saturday. Both teams enter this game following their first bye of the season. Florida aims to end a three-game losing streak as Texas opens SEC play. To learn about the Longhorns, Inside the Gators spoke with Zach Davis, sportswriter for The Daily Texan, the University of Texas at Austin’s student newspaper.

Five Texas Longhorns to Know

Arch Manning, Quarterback, Redshirt Sophomore

• The ‘Heir to the Manning Throne’ was underwhelming against Ohio State in his first game as the Longhorns’ starting quarterback. He finished 17-of-30 with 170 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception. In the three games since, albeit against three Group of Five teams, Manning has 13 total touchdowns. “He got caught up in the idea that he’s a Manning,” said Davis. A surname that’s thrown for over 150,000 yards and 1,000 touchdowns in the NFL between Peyton, Eli, and Archie. “Against Sam Houston, he let go and played like himself. He’s still really good at football.”

Michael Taafe, Safety, Redshirt Senior

• Taafe embodies Texas football. An Austin, Texas native and a fifth-generation Longhorn. Texas has the 16th-ranked passing defense in college football, allowing just over 150 opposing passing yards per game. Davis says Taafe, “definitely isn’t the most talented guy on the field, [but] he’s the true leader.”

Colin Simmons, Edge, Sophomore

• Simmons wrecked defenses during his true freshman year, finishing with 14 tackles-for-loss, nine sacks, and an interception. He was named a true freshman All-American. The preseason All-SEC first team selection has had a slow start in 2025, recording only 0.5 sack. He’s also had penalty issues. Simmons had a costly roughing the passer penalty that set up an Ohio State touchdown and three penalties in the first half against San Jose State. “He’s still a projected first-round pick,” says Davis, despite the early-season issues. “He’s been a little jumpy. He wants sacks.”

Anthony Hill Jr., Linebacker, Junior

• Texas has the second-best defense in college football, allowing 7.75 points per game. Hill is a key contributor. In 34 career games, the linebacker has 26 tackles-for-loss and 13 sacks. “He is so fast. Unbelievably fast,” says Davis. “He can guard a running back in man coverage. He can blitz when you need him to. He’s a pro’s pro.”

DeAndre Moore Jr., Wide Receiver, Junior

• Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has a history of crafting explosive offenses. His offenses usually have dynamic receiving rooms. That’s the case again in 2025. Despite missing a game due to an upper-body injury, Moore has 11 catches for 115 yards. Davis says Moore pairs well with former five-star Ryan Wingo. “A one-two punch,” said Davis. “[Moore] can beat you in the middle of the field. Kind of like [Los Angeles Rams wide receiver] Puka Nacua.”

Five Fast Facts

• The Gators are the only team in the SEC without an FBS win.
• Florida’s defense has allowed just five offensive touchdowns.
• Texas has won its last nine conference road games.
• Sarkisian and Florida head coach Billy Napier worked together under Nick Saban at Alabama in 2016.
• Longhorns leading rusher Jerrick Gibson is from Gainesville, Fla.

Five Game Day Storylines

Is Texas Legit?

• Texas, the preseason No. 1 team, lost a one-score game to the reigning national champion Ohio State Buckeyes in week one. Since then, they’ve beaten San Jose State, UTEP, and Sam Houston. The Longhorns come to Gainesville, Fla., fresh off wins over three Group of Five teams. Is Texas actually a playoff-caliber team? “It’s hard to determine,” said Davis. “The defense is definitely ready. The offense is ready to prove it.”

Defensive Duel

• Both teams have top 25 scoring defenses in college football. Texas ranks second, allowing just 7.75 points per game. Florida ranks 24th, allowing 16 points per game. Both teams are also top 25 in total defense.

All-Time Series

• The Gators and Longhorns meet for the fifth time ever and the second time in 84 years. Texas leads the all-time series 3-0-1. The teams met in 2024 in Austin, Texas, with the Longhorns winning 49-17. It was Florida’s largest SEC loss since 2005. Gators quarterback DJ Lagway missed the game due to a hamstring injury. Manning played limited snaps in the fourth quarter.

1-3 Start

• Florida’s 1-3 start is the program’s worst since the 1986 season. Coincidentally, both teams were ranked in the preseason AP Top 15. The 1986 Gators started 1-4 before winning five of their last six games, including wins over No. 5 Auburn and No. 19 Georgia.

Gators Injury Bug

• Florida continues to deal with injuries. For the first time this season, the Gators will be without backup running back Ja’Kobi Jackson. He’s second on the team in rushing yards and third in yards from scrimmage. Florida’s defensive backs room took a hit in the loss to Miami. Dijon Johnson is out for the season with a torn ACL, and Aaron Gates needed shoulder surgery. Preseason All-SEC defensive tackle Caleb Banks is also sidelined long-term with a foot injury. That said, freshman wide receiver Dallas Wilson is expected to make his collegiate debut on Saturday.

Go to discussion...