GAINESVILLE — Florida will host Texas for the first time since 1940 in a matchup of two of college football’s biggest brands and a pair of bluebloods struggling to meet expectations.

Billy Napier’s Gators (1-3, 0-1 SEC) have been one of the season’s biggest disappointments, while the No. 9 Longhorns (3-1, 0-0) have yet to live up to their preseason No. 1 ranking.

A season after routing UF 49-17 in Austin, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian’s storied program opens its second season in the SEC Saturday in the Swamp as 6.5-point favorites. The Gators look to end their third three-game skid in Napier’s four seasons as he fights to save his job.

Questions abound in a marquee matchup that has lost some luster since the season began.

Is Arch Manning set to become the Swamp’s latest victim?

The redshirt sophomore aims to avoid becoming the latest signal caller to come unglued in Gainesville. The list includes his famous uncle Peyton, who was 0-2 with Tennessee.

The latest high-profile member of football’s first family stumbled during a season-opening loss at Ohio State, missing routine throws and appearing overwhelmed. The preseason favorite to win the Heisman Trophy has steadily improved facing outmanned competition. Manning finished 18-of-21 for 309 yards and 3 scores during a 55-0 win Sept. 20 against Sam Houston.

But the 21-year-old will be tested by the nation’s No. 22 defense.

Florida hopes the Gators' home crowd in the Swamp can elevate them to a much-needed win against Texas. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)Florida hopes the Gators’ home crowd in the Swamp can elevate them to a much-needed win against Texas. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

A sold-out crowd will do its part impacting the outcome. Just ask Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and Joe Burrow, Auburn’s Bo Nix and Missouri Drew Locke, talented QBs who had miserable days in one of the game’s toughest environments.

Two late-game interceptions doomed Dart and the No. 9 Rebels last November, a week after the Gators sacked Nussmeier seven times to upset the Tigers. A season before he led a record-setting attack and won the Heisman, Burrow threw three interceptions, including a pick-six, during a 2018 loss. In 2019, Nix was a 5-star true freshman who threw three picks, suffered a 22-yard loss on sack and was 11 of 27 passing.

In 2016, Locke entered the game averaging a league-high 335 passing yards, but finished with 39 and two pick-sixes.

Not every QB is overwhelmed on Florida’s home field. Alabama’s Bryce Young led his team to a 2021 win as a freshman and Cam Ward engineered a 41-17 rout to open the 2024 season. Each went on to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.

Manning looks to follow in the footsteps of his other Super Bowl-winning uncle Eli; he pulled out a 20-17 decision in 2003 against Ron Zook’s Gators.

Can Dallas Wilson be the difference?

Expectations have been sky high ever since he set spring game records with 10 catches and 195 receiving yards, while scoring twice. The true freshman now hopes to elevate a struggling offense in his collegiate debut after he missed the first four games with a left foot injury.

Napier called the development “a big deal” for a passing game tied for last nationally with Northwestern with an average of just 5.4 yards per attempt against FBS competition.

Quarterback DJ Lagway couldn’t be more thrilled. The 6-foot-3, 213-pound Wilson is a big, sure-handed target and downfield threat UF has sorely lacked — Lagway’s longest completion was 12 yards during a 26-7 loss at Miami.

Willson, though, will have to get up to speed against a secondary that returns three starters and has yielded just one touchdown pass. Napier is just happy to have Wilson back.

“When your best players are available, that definitely helps,” he said.

Will Napier’s decision to call plays doom him?

Florida’s coach insists he is not the problem, that overseeing the offense best serves the Gators — despite evidence to the contrary.

“It’s Year 8 for me, and it’s the way we’ve done it,” said Napier, who is 20-22 at UF after arriving from Louisiana. “It helped us get here. There’s a lot of guys that are still doing it, too. You could argue both ways here. I watched several of them this weekend.”

One will be on the other sideline Saturday. Sarkisian holds play-calling duties himself.

Yet, Sarkisian fielded the SEC’s second-best scoring offense in 2024 (33 point per game against FBS teams) and reached the CFB semifinals. Meanwhile, while Florida was 11th (26.9 ppg) and played in the Gasparilla Bowl.

Sarkisian and Napier were on Alabama’s 2016 staff when Nick Saban elevated Sarkisian to call plays in the national title game afte Lane Kiffin’s departure to FAU. Sarkisian is considered among the game’s top offensive minds, while Napier’s decision to maintain play calling continues to draw criticism.

Gators head coach Billy Napier has been his team's primary play caller during eight seasons as a head coach, including the past four at UF. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)Gators head coach Billy Napier has been his team’s primary play caller during eight seasons as a head coach, including the past four at UF. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Napier appeared on the verge of ceding duties the past two offseasons, but he stuck with it largely to maintain continuity with his quarterbacks — Graham Mertz in 2024 and Lagway this season.

“The quarterback is a huge piece of that puzzle, in terms of the verbiage, the system, the dialogue, how you teach,” Napier said.

Lagway’s offseason injuries stunted the sophomore’s development. Additionally, holding back Napier’s attack is the questionable use of receiver Tre Wilson, the over-reliance on two tight ends and the overestimation of the offensive line. Many also point to play-calling predictability.

Whatever the case, it’s not working; UF averages 11 points in its three losses.

Ohio State’s Ryan Day, Florida State’s Mike Norvell and Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz each handed off play calling with immediate results. Barring a remarkable turnaround, it’s too late now for Napier.

Could special teams decide it?

Long a source of concern, the game’s third phase has stabilized and become a strength in the second season under Joe Houston.

“The kicking game has become a weapon for us, the punt return game, our specialists’ play,” Napier said.

While Napier likes his group, Texas is not be overlooked.

UF punter Tommy Doman averages 46.1 yards per punt, while Texas’ Jack Bouwmeester sits at 46.5; true freshman Vernell Brown III of Orlando is third in the SEC in punt returning (18.3 average), while Ryan Niblett (16.4) is fourth for the Longhorns; and Texas kicker Mason Shipley is 5 of 5 on field goals while Florida’s Trey Smack is 4 of 4 in the past three games.

In a matchup pitting strong defenses and young quarterbacks, special teams could play a key role.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com