Texas vs. Florida prediction, pick, odds, spread: Longhorns look for rebound against free-falling Gators — SkimNews
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- Arch Manning has thrown 4 touchdowns and 4 interceptions against Power Four opponents this season, including a fourth-quarter pick-six against Oklahoma that flipped momentum; he's been sacked 12 times through five games, 10 of those coming against Ohio State, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.
- Texas coach Steve Sarkisian defended his play-calling and called scrutiny of Manning "unjustified" heading into Saturday's matchup with the SEC's worst defense.
- Florida has lost back-to-back SEC games in blowout fashion after a 4-0 start, tumbling out of the national rankings; the Gators rank last in the SEC in total defense, explosive plays allowed, and pass defense, and 15th in scoring defense.
- Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons leads college football with 9.5 sacks — including five in a win at Tennessee last month — and is the runaway favorite for SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
- Texas fell six spots in the AP Poll after the Oklahoma loss but remains in the updated CFP projection with a first-round home game; a win over Florida would move Sarkisian's squad to 2-0 in revenge opportunities after beating Ohio State in Week 2.
- SportsLine's computer model projects Texas as a 10.5-point favorite for Saturday's noon ET kickoff at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (ABC).
Why it matters: Texas controls its own path to the 12-team College Football Playoff bracket, but only if it handles a wounded Florida team ranked last in the SEC in total and pass defense — a loss would damage the Longhorns' résumé after the Oklahoma defeat and put their first-round CFP home game in jeopardy.
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