So You're Saying There's a Chance!?

Well, the low scoring Longhorns have their struggles, too.

I wrote earlier in the week about the similarities of the stats between UF and UM last weekend in every category but the one that matters. Facing the Texas Longhorns on the road in Austin is a tough task for a team that hasn't played well in the last two weeks.

The Gators hit the road as a 10.5-point underdog. Is there anything that points to a possible Gator victory?

The Gators will face the #3 total defense in the SEC in the Will Muschamp led Texas defense. They are ranked either third or fourth in the conference in every category. They are the #13 ranked defense in college football.

That task is a daunting task by itself. Throw in the possibility of having Tramell Jones Jr. making his first road SEC start and the hill gets a little higher.

Add in the uncertainty of Vernell Brown III and the health of Eric Singleton and the road gets even more steep.

The offense couldn't gain any traction on the road in Columbia, Mo. and didn't do much better against the guys from Columbia e

East. Jadan Baugh hasn't looked like a Heisman contender in weeks.

The offensive line has struggled to move anyone off the ball and protect the pocket.

Buster Faulkner has cost himself a lot of money after being the wonder coach for the first four games by not being able to come up with a successful scheme.

All those signs point to a very bad road experience for Gator fans heading to Texas.

The numbers that give the Gators any hope are on the other side of the ball. Florida's defense has given up more than 20 points in every game except against the Fighting Camels.

Texas hasn't scored 30 against a good opponent yet. Maybe Florida isn't a good opponent either, but I think the Hirns are good, not great.

exas is ranked in the bottom half of the conference in every offensive category.

If the Longhorns hadn't pulled off an incredible 4th quarter rally against the Buckeyes, aided by some conservative play calling by OSU, they would be 3-2 heading into the game on Saturday.

Arch Manning has thrown 5 interceptions and only 10 TDs while throwing for 1122 yards. That's about the same average as Philo per game. Their leading rusher is Hollywood Smothers. His 237 yards on 53 carries would make him third on the Gators' rushing list behind Baugh with 672 and Clark with 265 yards.

Maybe the lower rushing yards mean they just gain most of the yards through the air? Not really. Their leading receiver is Cam Coleman who has 318 yards on 17 catches with 5 TDs. Dallas Wilson has 376 yards for the Gators on 26 catches.

What do all those numbers add up to? Nothing if the Gator offense can't find its way back from the poor performances of the last two weeks. But if they can find a spark of life, the Gator defense doesn't have to be great, just average against the weaker Texas offense for the Gators to pull the upset.

If the Gators can find a way to stop the run and get just a little pressure on Manning, history says he will turn the ball over a couple of times. That may be just the thing Florida needs to leave the 40 acres with a victory. That's asking a lot for a unit that hasn't been very good so far this year. It's not likely, but it is possible.

There is a chance for Florida to beat Texas if the Gators can score 30 points or hold Texas to under 20. One of those looked like a lock only three weeks ago!

Now chances appear to be somewhere between Slim and None. Has Slim already left for Austin?

Photo: Chris Spears / Gator Bait Media