Over the last three weeks, the Texas Longhorns and head coach Steve Sarkisian seem to have placed a renewed emphasis on getting the team as healthy as possible.
As the Horns flew toward their Week 7 matchup against the Florida Gators, their injury report was as short as it had been all season, and that included the return of defensive lineman Justus Terry and offensive lineman Jordan Coleman to the availability list.
However, the Gators were counting down the seconds until they had to make a few game-time decisions that could make or break their chance to keep pace with No. 7 Texas.
So, with less than an hour until kickoff, which players are in, which ones are out, and which ones' availabilities could come down to the last possible moment?
No. 7 Texas Longhorns availability report for Week 7 vs. Florida
- OUT: Kaliq Lockett, wide receiver; Jaydon Chatman, offensive lineman
- IN: Justus Terry, defensive lineman; Jordan Coleman, offensive lineman
While the Texas offensive line will have renewed depth with Coleman returning to the possible rotation, it will also be without Jaydon Chatman. However, Chatman, who is a fourth-year OL who has appeared in just 19 games, isn't a starter for the Horns, so it isn't a massive loss on the depth chart.
Similarly, wideout Kaliq Lockett, a second-year receiver, has appeared in two games so far this season, but has recorded just one reception for a three-yard loss. Unsurprisingly, the young wide receiver is not part of the starting rotation.
Florida Gators availability report for Week 7 vs. Texas
- OUT: Duke Clark, running back
- GAME-TIME DECISION: Aaron Philo, quarterback; Bailey Stockton, wide receiver; Vernell Brown III, wide receiver
With a seemingly opposite availability report, the Gators could be without three of their star offensive players, including starting quarterback Aaron Philo.
A couple of hours before kickoff, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported that the Gators had officially decided to start backup QB Tramell Jones Jr., who has just 64 career pass attempts. However, it looks like Philo could possibly rotate in if things start to go south.
Additionally, Florida may be without two of its top three wide receivers, with both Bailey Stockton and Vernell Brown III listed as "game-time decisions," just like their quarterback. Running back Duke Clark was the only Gator listed as officially "out" on the final availability report.
Going up against the Texas defense is already a tall task for any team, much less a group that's on a two-game losing streak and could very well be without three offensive stars.
The No. 7 Texas Longhorns (4-1 overall, 1-1 SEC) and the unranked Florida Gators (4-2 overall, 2-2 SEC) are scheduled to kick off at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday, Sept. 17, and the game will be broadcast on ABC.
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