The last time Texas A&M football met Florida on the gridiron, it was a clash of future NFL stars. Former Aggie football player and current Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane led the effort against former Gator and current Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson in 2022, and the Gators came out on top, 41-24, at Kyle Field. This time around, the Aggies are looking for revenge.

The two teams had a similar start to their 2024 campaigns, starting 1-1. Both dropped their Week 1 games to ranked opponents, one more narrowly than the other, and followed it up by demolishing FCS programs. Now, things get real with SEC play.

While the Maroon and White have yet to go on a road trip in 2024, the Aggies have not won a road matchup since Oct. 16, 2021, while coach Mike Elko was still defensive coordinator. The team has focused on duplicating that winning recipe and solidifying mechanics to prepare for the challenge.

“It’s going to be a very difficult environment Saturday to go down in The Swamp, one of the tougher places to play in this conference,” Elko said. “Getting the primetime afternoon slot, we know that place is going to be rocking.”

Florida freshman QB DJ Lagway filled in for redshirt senior Graham Mertz, who was out with a concussion, and threw for 456 yards and three touchdowns last week against Samford. Lagway’s performance was enough to earn some playing time against A&M, but not enough to replace Mertz as the starter.

“It’s a blessing to have two really good quarterbacks,” Florida coach Billy Napier said. “Certainly, one with a ton of experience and one without, but there is no doubt both these guys will make us harder to defend. We intend to use both of them.”

Florida senior RB Montrell Johnson Jr. has over 2,500 yards in his collegiate career and has 173 yards and three rushing touchdowns on the season. Combine Johnson with the Gators’ experienced offensive line, and the crew could create some serious problems for the Aggies.

“He’s a really talented back,” Elko said. “Offensively, it’s a group that’s played a lot of football — very, very, experienced and very, very, talented.”

A&M’s run defense has been lackluster thus far, allowing 189 yards and two scores to Notre Dame, and 180 yards to McNeese. The team has focused on run stoppage all week, junior defensive end Shemar Stewart said.

“We try to pride ourselves on not letting the ball being ran on us,” Stewart said. “We’re trying to emphasize being more physical in the run game.”

On the offensive side of the ball, the Aggies are coming off of a dominant victory against McNeese, where sophomore QB Conner Weigman completed 78.6% of passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns, a stark contrast to the week prior. Weigman and the Maroon and White’s air attack match up well against a thin Florida secondary.

“We’ll have contingency plans: Who’s the next best corner, safety, just like we did last week,” Napier said. “Just might be a different guy this week.”

A&M also performed well on the ground against McNeese, tallying 333 rushing yards and five rushing TDs.

“I feel real confident,” junior RB Amari Daniels, who accounted for two of the team’s touchdowns, said. “If we play our good football and play how we’re supposed to and how we’re coached, then we’ll be good.”

Saturday’s game serves as a homecoming for graduate transfer defensive back Jaydon Hill, junior transfer linebacker Scooby Williams and defensive coordinator Jay Bateman. Bateman served as the Gators’ linebackers coach over the past two seasons before joining the Aggies.

“Just another day in college football,” Napier said. “Used to be just coaches. Now it’s players, too.”

The two teams will kick off on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on ABC.