When we last checked the Gators' flight instruments after that South Carolina homecoming disaster, the warning lights were winning. Florida was 4-2, the running game had stalled, and Jon Sumrall's first season was leaking oxygen into the SEC void.
Since then, the Gators pulled off a comeback in Austin but had another setback against Georgia. At this point, it feels like they need a whole new plan just to handle emergencies.
Now Oklahoma is up next. The game is Saturday, November 7, with a 7:45 p.m. Eastern kickoff at The Swamp on SEC Network. It’s another chance to see if this team can fix its issues before things get out of hand.
Florida comes in at 5-3 overall and 3-3 in the SEC. The Sooners are 4-4 and 2-3. Both fan bases know how fast early-season hope can turn into late-season problems.
Before we discuss the damage from Georgia, give the Gators their credit for Texas. On October 17, with Aaron Philo sidelined and Tramell Jones Jr. making his first career start, Florida climbed out of a 17-3 deficit to beat the seventh-ranked Longhorns 27-24 in Austin. The program's official notes identify it as Florida's largest comeback against a ranked SEC opponent in a true road game, and its first ranked true-road victory since 2018.
That was important. In our October column, we wondered if this team could handle the tougher games ahead. Florida went to Texas and showed it could do more than just get by.
Then Georgia exposed how little room remains between Florida's best football and its worst.
The Bulldogs beat Florida 27-8 in Atlanta. Three turnovers in the first half gave Georgia 17 points and led to a 24-0 halftime lead. Philo threw two interceptions. Jones came in, lost a fumble that Chris Cole returned 66 yards for a touchdown, and later threw an interception in the end zone.
Jadan Baugh had 38 rushing yards, and Florida finished with 48 as a team. That’s not enough to beat Georgia, or to overcome their own mistakes.
Sumrall made things worse with a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty after bumping an official. He admitted his mistake, but accountability should lead to better play, not just better explanations after the game. The Gators had eight penalties for 78 yards. Coaches can’t ask for composure if they’re adding to the penalty count themselves.
The surprising part is that Florida still ranked No. 24 in Tuesday’s first College Football Playoff rankings, their first time there since 2020. That shows the Texas win matters. But it doesn’t mean they can ignore their problems.
Oklahoma’s defense will be a real test for Florida. The Sooners are fifth in the SEC in total defense, giving up 304.6 yards per game, and seventh in scoring defense at 20.8 points. Baugh has 801 rushing yards and leads the SEC with 13 rushing touchdowns. Florida needs to get him involved early, but they can’t just keep running him into a packed defense and hope he finds a way through.
Tramell Jones Jr. will start on Saturday, putting the quarterback who led Florida’s comeback in Austin back in charge. His job isn’t to pull off another dramatic comeback. He needs to protect the football, keep the offense moving, and give Baugh space to run. Against Oklahoma’s defense, Florida needs Jones to play steady football, not try to save the day again.
The blockers and receivers need to support him. Jones has already shown he can step up when things go wrong. Now, the real challenge is to avoid the mistakes that put Florida behind to begin with. Staying on schedule, protecting the quarterback, and making routine catches will help this offense more than hoping for another miracle from Jones.
Oklahoma is also making changes. Brent Venables fired offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle on Monday and gave interim duties to Jason Witten. The Sooners are 111th in the nation in total offense and 108th in scoring. John Mateer has 1,835 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
Those numbers offer Florida an opportunity, not a guarantee. A struggling offense with a new play-caller still requires disciplined tackling, sound coverage and preparation for unfamiliar wrinkles.
Sumrall’s message this week was clear: “You signed up for the whole year.” He’s right. Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and Florida State are still ahead after Oklahoma. November could change how this season is remembered.
Our launch column captured the promise. Our SEC-void column documented the breach. Texas showed the ship could fight. Georgia showed the repairs were unfinished.
Saturday is about whether Florida can finally avoid another crisis. The Swamp doesn’t need a new mission statement. It needs a team that stops repeating the same mistakes.
Don't just watch the game. Understand it. Queen Media Sports Report.
Cody Queen is the lead columnist for the Queen Media Sports Report, bringing you the hard hitting facts, the deep dives, and the unapologetic truth about the teams you love. Queen Media Sports Report is brought to you by Backwater Royalty.
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