Lagway’s value has been proven while other stocks crash

The Florida Gators (4-5, 2-4 SEC) were demolished by the No. 5 Texas Longhorns (8-1, 4-1 SEC) 49-17. It wasn’t technically an ugly match from start to finish; the first half from the first quarterback was fine. But when things got ugly, it was just a downward spiral.

On that note, it’s time for the weekly postgame stock report. Let’s see whose stocks crashed today and who miraculously saw their stocks rise. Yes, there were two stocks that managed to rise.

DJ Laway

He didn’t even play and his stock went up. If we learned anything from Saturday’s loss, it was the value of a capable quarterback under center.

Would Florida have won this game if he had played? No shot. But they wouldn’t have risked a shutout loss. Perhaps they could have also come out of the gate stronger in third place.

Three of Texas’ scores came on Florida’s three turnovers. So this score is already closer if they had just been able to hold the ball.

Much of the embarrassment could very well have been saved.

Jadan Baugh

Hey, to his credit, he had a solid game despite the mess that followed. Baugh rushed for 88 yards and grabbed the Gators’ first touchdown of the game. It was a bad touchdown, but he got it.

For what it’s worth, he shows what could all come together in Florida’s running game. It has the chance to be absolutely deadly as he and other young backs continue to mature.

Florida Gators defense

The poor offensive performance and turnover did not do them any favors. But after the improvements over the past month, this was a disastrous blow to their heads.

Texas increased the score despite Florida winning time of possession. They just scored so quickly. Everything looked good in the first quarter, but then Quinn Ewers got a wide open field when Florida needed a stop. This set them up to score, and it all unraveled from there.

Aside from the first time Texas missed the field on the game’s first drive, they found the end zone every time they reached the red zone.

It’s unacceptable.

Billy Napier

I understand he didn’t have a quarterback, or a lot of other starters for that matter, but this is ridiculous. Where was the fight from the Georgia game?

It’s no coincidence that Scott Stricklin decided to stay at Napier for 2025 because of that match.

Yet this was the sequel.

Whatever the reason, these are the types of losses that will cost you the trust of the Court of Public Opinion

Florida Gators special teams

Here’s a crazy statistic uncovered by Florida Gators on SI’s Cam Paker. Smack did not score a field goal on a penalty.

That’s not a great stat, especially when the missed field goal today was just a 30-yarder.

As for the rest of the special teams. Stay disciplined if this is the case. They didn’t have disastrous mistakes like the botched play against Florida, but penalties that lead to missed kicks will hurt the stock.