The 2026 season started strong for the Florida Gators, who achieved a 4-0 record after defeating then-No. 4 Ole Miss in Week 4. However, Florida faced setbacks, losing the next two games. Despite these challenges, the Gators secured a surprising 30-27 victory over Texas, assisted by a critical sack-fumble caused by Arch Manning.
Texas has experienced difficulties against Florida recently, having lost 29-21 to the Gators in October 2025. That Florida team concluded the season with a 4-8 record.
The past eight days have been particularly painful for the Longhorns, who suffered a crushing loss to Oklahoma last week that cost them the No. 1 ranking.
Texas is now reeling from consecutive losses to unranked SEC opponents. Coach Steve Sarkisian expressed that all aspects of the team are under review as he seeks improvement.
Everything’s going to be evaluated.
Sarkisian did not rule out changes at quarterback. He acknowledged imperfections in Arch Manning’s performance but emphasized that the challenges were broader than a single player.
Texas Longhorns had their bright moment in the opening quarter. However, the rest of the game reflected struggles, as they managed only 50 offensive snaps, the lowest during Sarkisian’s time with the team. Florida’s defense was formidable, sacking Manning five times. Manning completed the game with 173 passing yards and one touchdown.
Texas faced its first loss to an unranked opponent at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in 22 games. The Longhorns have now become just the third team since 1936 to lose consecutive games to unranked teams after reaching No. 1 in the AP poll, per ESPN Research.
London Montgomery’s performance for the Gators played a role in Florida’s victory over Texas.
Sarkisian reflected on Texas’s recent games candidly:
We’re not playing very good football right now. I have to evaluate everything. It’s gonna be a long night.
As Sarkisian oversees offensive playcalling, his approach is also under scrutiny. Texas will face Ole Miss in Austin next Saturday.
This article was composed independently from the FOX newsroom.
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