Florida is 5-4 after an upset loss to unranked Oklahoma at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The playoff dream is dead.
But Brett McMurphy’s latest bowl projections threw Gator fans a curveball. Florida is projected to face Baylor. Baylor’s quarterback? DJ Lagway.
The same DJ Lagway who just left Gainesville.
Florida vs Baylor Bowl Game DJ Lagway Reunion: What McMurphy Projected
On3 insider Brett McMurphy posted the matchup on November 10, 2026. He called it one thing:
The Lagway Bowl.
No bowl name. No date. No location yet. Just the projection — and the internet did the rest.
For Florida, it would be a consolation prize after a disappointing season. For Baylor, it would be a shot at national attention. For Lagway, it would be personal.
Florida vs Baylor Bowl Game DJ Lagway Reunion: Why Florida Is Out of Playoff Race
Florida had no margin left. The loss to Oklahoma sealed it.
At 5-4, the Gators are playing for bowl positioning now, not a playoff spot. That’s a sharp fall for a program that started the year with expectations.
New head coach Jon Sumrall inherited a roster in transition. The Oklahoma loss exposed the same issues that have haunted Florida all year — inconsistent quarterback play, slow starts, and an inability to close.
Florida vs Baylor Bowl Game DJ Lagway Reunion: How Lagway Left Gainesville
Lagway didn’t get pushed out. He walked.
When Sumrall took over for Billy Napier, Lagway entered the transfer portal. He traded orange and blue for green and gold.
He signed with Baylor — the same school his father, Derek Lagway Sr., attended.
It was a clean break. At least, it was supposed to be.
Florida vs Baylor Bowl Game DJ Lagway Reunion: Lagway’s Rise as a Five-Star Gator
Lagway arrived in Gainesville as a big deal.
He was a five-star prospect out of Willis, Texas. No. 3 player in the country on 247Sports. The highest-rated quarterback to sign with Florida since Jeff Driskel.
And early on, he looked the part:
Debut as starter: 456 yards, 3 touchdowns vs. Samford
Took over after injury: Stepped in when Graham Mertz tore his ACL vs. Tennessee
Freshman finish: Won four straight, including wins over No. 22 LSU and No. 9 Ole Miss
Bowl win: Led Florida to a 33-8 win over Tulane — coached then by Sumrall
For a few months, Lagway looked like the future.
Florida vs Baylor Bowl Game DJ Lagway Reunion: The 2025 Collapse That Changed Everything
Then 2025 happened.
A shoulder injury wrecked his offseason. By the time the season started, he wasn’t the same quarterback.
Florida opened ranked No. 13. Then came South Florida. An 18-16 loss at home on a late field goal by Nico Gramatica.
It snowballed from there.
Lagway flashed his arm talent. He also threw five interceptions against LSU. The rhythm never came back. Florida finished 4-8. Napier was fired.
Lagway’s time in Gainesville ended not with a bang, but with a reset.
Florida vs Baylor Bowl Game DJ Lagway Reunion: Lagway’s Rocky Start at Baylor
Baylor hasn’t been smooth sailing either.
Lagway injured his ankle in the season opener, a loss to Auburn. He struggled early. Midseason, Baylor fired head coach Dave Aranda.
Still, Baylor has steadied. The Bears are 6-3 after a 42-31 win over Iowa State.
Lagway has been up and down — same arm, same size, same questions about consistency. But he’s winning again, and he’s doing it in a different uniform.
Florida vs Baylor Bowl Game DJ Lagway Reunion: What a Matchup Would Mean for Both Teams
If this projection holds, it’s more than a bowl game.
For Florida:
A chance to prove the program moved on
A measuring stick for Sumrall in Year 1
A storyline that will dominate bowl week
For Baylor:
A chance to validate the Lagway gamble
A national stage against an SEC brand
Momentum heading into next season
For Lagway:
A shot at his old team
A shot at rewriting how his Florida story ended
Bowl games are often forgettable. This one wouldn’t be.
Florida vs Baylor Bowl Game DJ Lagway Reunion: FAQs
Will Florida play Baylor in a bowl game?
Not yet official. It’s a projection from Brett McMurphy based on current records and bowl tie-ins. Projections change weekly.
Why did DJ Lagway leave Florida?
Lagway transferred after Jon Sumrall replaced Billy Napier. He chose Baylor, his father’s alma mater.
What is DJ Lagway’s record at Baylor?
Baylor is 6-3 with Lagway as its starting quarterback heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
What is Florida’s record?
Florida is 5-4 after losing to Oklahoma at home, which ended its College Football Playoff hopes.
What is the Lagway Bowl?
It’s the nickname Brett McMurphy gave to a potential Florida vs. Baylor bowl matchup featuring former Gator DJ Lagway against his old team.
Florida vs Baylor bowl game DJ Lagway reunion would be the bowl matchup nobody saw coming, and the one everybody would watch.
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