The University of Florida Gators are traveling to Jordan-Hare Stadium to take on the Auburn University Tigers in the first major test of Jon Sumrall’s tenure.
Both teams will enter the contest with 2-0 records as they begin conference play in the SEC. These teams are on similar trajectories after underperforming over the past few seasons, but both now have reason for optimism under first-year head coaches.
The Gators’ offense has been as explosive as any in the country to begin the season as they trail only Georgia and Miami in points per game. While the competition hasn’t been stellar, the team is doing what it needs to do and putting teams away early.
Auburn, on the other hand, averages a respectable 30 points per game and has already been tested in a 17-16 win over Baylor.
This Saturday will represent the biggest game thus far for both teams as the two programs renew an iconic SEC rivalry. In the series history, Auburn leads 43-39-2 against the Gators, but Florida came out victorious in the teams’ most recent matchup, a 24-13 win in 2019.
For Florida, the Gators will look to establish the run game behind star running back Jadan Baugh to open up the passing game for explosive playmakers like Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III.
Brown accounted for three touchdowns in last week’s win over Campbell University as he returned back-to-back punts for touchdowns and added a touchdown reception from quarterback Aaron Philo as well.
Saturday will mark Philo’s first start against a Power Four team. Continuing his efficient play and protecting the football will be paramount to the Gators if they want to win on the road at Auburn.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Florida defense has shown some issues communicating against tempo through the first two games, and things will not slow down against Auburn’s fast-moving offense.
When Auburn head coach Alex Golesh was at the University of South Florida last year, the Bulls played at warp speed, finishing fifth nationally in scoring at 40.5 points per game while operating one of the fastest offenses in the country.
Despite a change of scenery, there is a surprising amount of continuity for this Auburn offense as six players who started Auburn’s season opener, quarterback Byrum Brown, receivers Chas Nimrod, Keshaun Singleton and Jeremiah Koger, and offensive linemen Cole Best and Cole Skinner, played at South Florida under Golesh last season.
If the Gators can limit Auburn’s success playing with pace, their offense has shown enough firepower through two weeks to give Florida an opportunity to win in a difficult environment. The Gators haven’t started a season 3-0 since 2019, but can snap that streak in year one under Sumrall on Saturday.
The Florida Gators will travel to Jordan-Hare Stadium to take on the Auburn Tigers this Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. The game can be watched on ESPN.
