It will be the former Ohio State quarterback’s first shot at coordinating at the Division I level, but the team seems to have embraced the change over the recent bye week. After Guiton spent four seasons under former Arkansas OC Kendall Briles, it is likely that the offense will revert, and look similar to what it has the previous three seasons.
Florida (5-3, 3-2 SEC) has split its last four games and is coming off of a 43-20 loss to No. 1 Georgia, but has ridden the arm of junior quarterback Graham Mertz all season long.
Here are 11 players to watch in Saturday’s showdown in Gainesville:
ARKANSAS: Quarterback KJ Jefferson
The 6-foot-3, 247-pound senior will probably have more freedom to operate the offense this week, with Kenny Guiton in as the interim offensive coordinator and play-caller. Jefferson has already thrown for 1,547 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, while completing over 65 percent of his passes.
FLORIDA: QB Graham Mertz
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound junior has an astounding 75.9 percent completion rate, while accumulating 2,127 yards – fourth in the SEC – and 14 touchdowns through the air. But he has been sacked 24 times, which could open the door to the Razorbacks’ stout defensive line.
ARKANSAS: RB Raheim "Rocket" Sanders
The 6-foot-2, 242-pound junior is slated to make his return inside his home-state of Florida on Saturday, after playing sparingly throughout the season with an injured knee. After rushing for 1,443 yards as a sophomore, Sanders only has 34 carries for 91 yards and two scores this season.
FLORIDA: RB Montrell Johnson
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound junior has been the Gators’ primary workhorse in the backfield this season, totaling 94 carries for 520 yards and four touchdowns. He also has 20 receptions for 142 yards and another score.
The 6-foot-4, 201-pound senior continues to be Jefferson’s go-to guy in pressure situations. His 43 catches are more than twice that of any other receiver on the team. He has also racked up 520 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 12.1 yards per reception.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior continues to be Mertz’s top target, hauling in 50 passes for 718 yards – fifth in the SEC – and three TDs, while averaging 14.4 yards per catch.
ARKANSAS: LB Jaheim Thomas
The 6-foot-4, 240-pound junior is third in the SEC in tackles with 74, following the bye week. But his presence on the Razorbacks’ defense this season has been immense, from a leadership and production standpoint. He is second on the team with 3.5 sacks and has two pass deflections.
The 6-foot-7, 281-pound junior has emerged as one of the SEC’s best pass rushers with 6 sacks – fifth in the conference – along with 34 tackles and a pass deflection.
FLORIDA: S Jordan Castell
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound freshman has blossomed early for the Gators. His 39 total tackles are second on the team, after collecting a season-high eight stops against Georgia last week.
ARKANSAS: S Al Walcott
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound senior has done a little bit of everything for the Hogs this season, after transferring in from Baylor. It looked like he scooped up a fumble and scored the potential game-winning touchdown against Mississippi State two weeks ago, only to have it called back for a penalty on the Bulldogs. He has tallied 37 tackles this season, with an interception and a pass deflection.
FLORIDA: DE Princely Umanmielen
The 6-foot-5, 255-pound junior leads the Gators with three sacks, while also adding 27 tackles. He accumulated a season-high nine tackles against Georgia last week.
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