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No. 21 Florida finding identity behind Jadan Baugh, Duke Clark
Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

No. 21 Florida finding identity behind Jadan Baugh, Duke Clark

By Andrew Wright  |  Last updated Sep 26, 2026 8:10 PM ET
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After a dominating win over No. 4-ranked Ole Miss on Saturday, the No. 21 Florida Gators have emerged as a true threat in the SEC.

It isn't because of their transfer quarterback Aaron Philo, though, but instead because of Jadan Baugh and Duke Clark, the best running back duo in all of college football.

Jadan Baugh and Duke Clark were dominant on Saturday

Florida gashed the Ole Miss defense in Saturday's win, rushing for a total of 302 yards and six touchdowns. Baugh was responsible for 142 yards and three touchdowns, while Clark tallied 126 yards and one touchdown.

Baugh has now rushed for 135-plus yards in all four games this season, and the 126 yards for Clark were easily a career high, surpassing the 65 yards he rushed for in Week 1 against Florida Atlantic.

The 302 rushing yards for the Gators were their fourth-most all-time against an SEC opponent and most since October 12, 1996, when they rushed for 308 yards.

Jadan Baugh and Duke Clark have to be considered the best running back duo in the country

Two guys combining for 268 yards and four touchdowns against what was expected to be a top defense is eye-opening and should put the rest of the SEC on notice.

Baugh is atop the running back leaderboard in yards and touchdowns this season. Clark is emerging as an excellent backup, as he is averaging eight yards per carry through four games.

Florida's season will be decided in Weeks 7 and 9

Saturday's win moved the Gators to 4-0 for the first time since 2019, and their path to a potential SEC Championship and College Football Playoff berth will be decided in Weeks seven and nine.

Those two weeks will see the Gators hit the road to face No. 1 Texas on Oct. 17, and a neutral-site game in Atlanta on Halloween against No. 2 Georgia.

If Florida is able to somehow go 1-1 in those two games, an 11-1 season is well within reason, something that would likely get the Gators back to the SEC Championship for the first time in six seasons.

Two losses and a 10-2 season may still be enough to get the Gators into the CFP for the first time, and even if it doesn't, the first season under new head coach Jon Sumrall would be considered a massive success.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan. 

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