AUSTIN (KXAN) — No. 9 Texas is on the road for the first time since their opening game loss on Aug. 30 at Ohio State when they open SEC play Saturday, 2:30 p.m. CT at Florida.
This marks UT’s first game in Gainesville, Florida, in 85 years; the Longhorns won that game 26-0 in front of an announced crowd of 12,000. Saturday, there will be around 90,000 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, also known as The Swamp.
“It’s a great environment, it’s been a great stadium throughout the history of college football.” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said. “When we came into this conference at some of the best venues that are in the country, and this is one of them, but it’s a great opportunity for our guys, we’re looking forward to it.”
Despite their 1-3 record, the Gators are giving up just 16 points per game on defense, which includes games against LSU and Miami.
“They’re very well coached, they’re a physical group up front,” Sarkisian said. “They’re coverage-oriented in the back end, and they can do that because of the physicality that they play with up front. They’re an enormous front, so we’ve got to do a great job of creating balance, running it and throwing it, and we’ve got to do a good job of putting our players in position to make some plays.”
The Longhorns could be getting some help back on offense with running back Quintrevion Wisner expected to play for the first time since the Ohio State game, where he rushed for 86 yards. Receiver Emmett Mosley V could also make his Longhorn debut after missing the first four games with a lower leg injury. Mosley had 48 receptions for 525 yards and six touchdowns last season at Stanford.
Offense has been the issue for the Gators. Florida is averaging just 22 points per game, and that includes their 55-0 opening game win over Long Island University.
Weather could also be a factor, with a high percentage chance of rain and possibly thunderstorms in Gainesville.
You can watch the entire exclusive interview with Sarkisian on Texas GameDay, Saturday at 1:30 p.m. on KBVO
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