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Florida Makes Final Decision on QB Against Texas, Key Receiver
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- Florida Makes Final Decision on QB Against Texas, Key Receiver
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Florida Makes Final Decision on QB Against Texas, Key Receive
The Florida Gators had three key offensive players battling injuries before getting set to take on No. 7 Texas in Austin on Saturday for Week 7.
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The Gators are entering the contest coming off two consecutive blowout losses. The 38-19 loss to South Carolina was an eye-opener for first-year head coach Jon Sumrall.
Quarterback Aaron Philo suffered an injury against the Gamecocks and was a game-time decision. Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, Florida will start Tramell Jones Jr. against Texas. The freshman is getting the start after getting the majority of the first-team reps.
The Gators will also play receiver Bailey Stockton, though it's unclear if Vernell Brown III will play against Texas.
Brown has been battling a knee injury and has missed the last two weeks. He practiced on Wednesday and had his best workout since suffering the knee injury. The Gators are 4-0 with him on the field. Through his first four games, Brown has 17 receptions for 271 yards and two touchdowns.
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Stockton will be a big boost for the Florida offense. The senior receiver has caught 22 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns this season.
How those receivers perform on Saturday will be partly in the hands of Jones. Through the first six games of the season, Jones has gone 23 of 29 passing for 252 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Philo was a key contributor in Florida's win over Ole Miss on Sept. 26. He threw for 196 yards and one touchdown while adding 14 yards and a score on the ground. However, he struggled in the last two weeks.
Part of the reasons for those struggles was the running game being shut down. The Gators' offense lives and dies by the run game, especially the play of star running back Jadan Baugh.
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With Philo sidelined and the Gators turning to a true freshman, how Baugh plays against Texas will go a long way in determining if Florida can compete with Texas or will get run out of Austin.
At 4-2, the Gators' hopes of making the College Football Playoff rest on how they play in the next two games. A win over Texas or Georgia would be huge for their resume, as it would add another signature win in addition to Ole Miss.
To beat Texas on Saturday, the defense will have to help out the shorthanded offense, and that means the secondary would have to be much better than they've been all season.
