Longhorns and Gators clash with bruised bodies and egos needing win to keep their seasons on track – Spectrum News

Longhorns and Gators clash with bruised bodies and egos needing win to keep their seasons on track  Spectrum News

Both teams now limp into Saturday's game in Austin with bruised bodies and egos. AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Three weeks ago, the Texas-Florida matchup looked like a blockbuster. The Longhorns were No. 1 behind quarterback Arch Manning. The Gators were storming up the rankings behind first-year coach Jon Sumrall and igniting the chomp in the Swamp. Those were good times. Both teams now limp into Saturday's game in Austin with bruised bodies and egos, and carrying a whiff of desperation as they seek a win to keep the season from unraveling. Seventh-ranked Texas (4-1, 1-1 SEC) is back home after a deflating loss to unranked archrival Oklahoma in Dallas, where Manning threw a pair of costly fourth-quarter interceptions.

The Gators (4-2, 2-2) are probably glad to hit the road after getting run out of the Swamp last week by South Carolina. Texas was shaken by the loss but is still in the hunt for the SEC championship and the College Football Playoff. Manning said this week he's looking forward to a rematch with the Gators, who handed Texas a humbling defeat last year. That loss played a big role in the Longhorns' not reaching the playoff. “Obviously a new (Florida) coach and they have some new players, but it left a bad taste in my mouth,” Manning said. The Gators