Baugh Meets the Stone Wall: Florida's Offense vs. Oklahoma's Defense (Scouting Oklahoma, Part 2)

Florida's offense lines up against South Carolina at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Oct. 10, 2026. Photo by Chris Spears, GatorBait Media.

Florida's offense scored 53.5 points a game while winning its first four games and has scored 17.8 a game over the four since. Saturday's opponent, Oklahoma, ranks 21st nationally in total defense and seventh on third down.

This is Part 2 of GatorBait's scouting series. Part 1, "Witten Off? Oklahoma's New Play-Caller vs. the Gators' Pass Rush," covers Oklahoma's offense against Florida's defense. Kickoff at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is 7:45 p.m. ET on SEC Network.

Key numbers

• Rankings: Florida is No. 24 in the College Football Playoff rankings and No. 25 in the AP poll. Oklahoma is unranked.

• Scoring: Florida scores 35.6 points per game (23rd nationally). Oklahoma allows 20.8 (38th).

• Total yards: Florida gains 426.0 per game. Oklahoma allows 304.6 (21st).

• Rushing: Florida gains 176.8 per game. Oklahoma allows 129.3 (51st).

• Passing: Florida gains 249.3 per game (41st). Oklahoma allows 175.4 (16th).

• Third down: Florida converts 43.3% (45 of 104). Oklahoma allows 28.2% (7th).

• Red zone: Florida scores on 91.4% of trips (23rd). Oklahoma allows scores on 71.4% (10th).

• Common opponents: Florida scored 27 on Texas, 8 on Georgia and 19 on South Carolina. Oklahoma allowed 24, 41 and 42 to the same teams.

Sources: Oklahoma's weekly game notes for NCAA rankings through Oct. 31; Florida's current cumulative statistics for the Gators' totals.

Baugh and the run game

Jadan Baugh leads the SEC with 13 rushing touchdowns and has 801 yards on 152 carries, 5.3 per carry. He has not reached 100 yards since Ole Miss on Sept. 26. Since then he has run for 13 yards at Missouri, 59 against South Carolina, 91 at Texas and 38 against Georgia, according to Florida's game notes.

Oklahoma allows 129.3 rushing yards per game and 3.7 per carry (45th). The Sooners' front includes junior David Stone, a preseason first-team All-American in several outlets, and senior Taylor Wein. Linebacker Owen Heinecke, a Butkus Award semifinalist, leads Oklahoma with 8.0 tackles per game and 7.5 tackles for loss.

Quarterback and protection

FloridaGators.com said Friday that Tramell Jones Jr. will start against Oklahoma. Monday's depth chart listed Aaron Philo or Jones, before that update. Philo has completed 70.5% of his passes for 1,367 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions. Jones is at 70.8% for 579 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.

Oklahoma's defense is built to punish a mistake. The Sooners rank 16th in pass defense and have seven interceptions, and in their two SEC wins they outscored Texas and Mississippi State 20-7 off turnovers, per Oklahoma. Linebacker Kip Lewis has three career interception returns for touchdowns, which ties the school record, including one against South Carolina. Safety Peyton Bowen, a Thorpe Award semifinalist, has two of the Sooners' seven interceptions.

Florida has 11 giveaways this season, including three first-half turnovers that Georgia turned into 17 points.

The protection will change. Florida used the same starting line in all eight games: Bryce Lovett, Knijeah Harris, Harrison Moore, TJ Shanahan Jr. and Emeka Ugorji. Ugorji is out Saturday, according to the SEC availability report, and Franz Beard's Friday column names Caden Jones as his replacement. Florida has allowed 13 sacks in eight games, 1.6 per game.

Receivers

Receiver Vernell Brown III, who has missed four games with a knee injury, is out in the Friday-evening availability update published by FloridaGators.com.

Bailey Stockton, probable in the Friday-evening availability update, leads Florida with 35 catches for 365 yards. Dallas Wilson has 31 catches and leads the team with 417 yards and three touchdowns.

Third down and the red zone

Oklahoma's defense is at its best on third down, where it allows a 28.2% conversion rate, first in the SEC. Brent Venables has called the defense since before the 2025 season, and Oklahoma ranks second nationally in third-down defense over that span, per the school. Florida converts 43.3% of its third downs.

The red zone is the other test. Florida has scored on 32 of 35 trips, 91.4%, while Oklahoma allows scores on 71.4%, second in the SEC.

A win would give Florida six victories, the usual mark for bowl eligibility, before a trip to Kentucky on Saturday, Nov. 14, on ESPN. FloridaGators.com lists the kickoff in a 6 to 7 p.m. ET window, with the exact time to be set after this weekend's games. Kentucky (7-1) is No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings and No. 8 in the AP poll.

Sources: Florida cumulative statistics; Oklahoma game notes; Friday quarterback and availability update. Statistics are through Oct. 31. Availability reflects the Friday-evening update and is subject to the final game-day report.