Florida started the season with one of the best rushing offenses in the SEC. Through the first four games of the season, Jadan Baugh rushed for 600 yards with 11 touchdowns.
Now, more than halfway through the season, the Gators' unit has fallen off a cliff, ranking 44th in the nation and averaging just 176 yards on the ground per game. Last week against Georgia, Florida finished with just 54 yards on the ground all game.
Florida will look to Run The Baugh successfully to get a win over Oklahoma
But as the Gators prepare to take on the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday, Florida's rushing offense might get back on track. Oklahoma's defense is giving up just under 129 yards on the ground per game, good for 51st in the country.
Last week against South Carolina, the Sooners defense gave up 212 yards on the ground, including 96 yards and two touchdowns to opposing quarterback LaNorris Sellers. Earlier in the season, Oklahoma also allowed 122 yards on the ground to Texas, although Oklahoma won that game 27-24.
Ahead of Saturday's matchup, Sooners head coach Brent Venables spoke highly of Baugh and what the Gators have been able to do on the ground throughout the season.
"They've run the ball really, really well," Venables said. "They've got a really good offensive line, excellent backs. Jadan Baugh is a Sunday player.
It's fitting that Baugh has been held to well under 100 yards each of Florida's three losses to Missouri, South Carolina and Georgia, getting just 38 yards against the Dawgs. Although he didn't quite reach 100, he finished with 91 rush yards and a touchdown in the upset win over Texas earlier in the season.
With running back Duke Clark set to return to the field against the Sooners, Florida has a great chance to establish the run early and often this week.
One other factor to keep an eye on is how Florida starting quarterback Tramell Jones can use his legs. Against both Texas and Georgia, he added an extra wrinkle to Florida's offense when he was able to improvise and keep plays alive with his feet.
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Across those two games, he rushed for 58 yards and a touchdown. While Jones is reportedly working through some kind of injury per Jon Sumrall that could potentially limit his ability to run, I wouldn't be surprised if you have one or two designed runs for Jones against the Sooners.
Florida's been looking to run the ball effectively like it had at the beginning of the season. What better way to do just that at home against a Sooners defense that's show vulnerabilities against the run?
The Gators are listed as 6.5-point favorites for Saturday's game. A win for the Gators would make them bowl eligible for the first time in two seasons.
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