Expert Predictions: Florida football faces tough test at Missouri Tigers
Florida football faces the Missouri Tigers in Columbia, Missouri, for a Week 12 Southeastern Conference matchup that could be the last these two programs see of each other for a while.
With the addition of the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners, the SEC will be moving to a new format in 2024 and beyond, further separating these geographically opposed schools. But in the meantime, there is still some unfinished business left to be settled.
Mizzou comes into the game ranked No. 11 in both the US LBM Coaches Poll and the AP Poll while Florida is voteless in both the major rankings. This is only the third time in 12 meetings that the Tigers are ranked among the top 25.
Ahead of the Week 12 affair between Florida and Mizzou, the Gators Wire crew weighed in on their expectations for Saturday night’s cold-weather matchup. Take a look below at our respective takes as well as the overall composite prediction.
Adam Dubbin - Managing Editor
The Gators fought valiantly but simply did not have enough to keep up with the Bayou Bengals last weekend. That was a very flawed team headlined by a Heisman Trophy-level quarterback and some explosive players on offense, but not much else.
This Mizzou team is even better than them and the game will be played on a cold November day in the midwest. The chances of the Orange and Blue escaping hostile territory where Florida has won just twice in five tries is slim and nearly none, especially given how poorly it plays away from the Swamp.
It will not be the offensive explosion we saw before, but it will be a firm butt-whooping.
Missouri 35, Florida 21
David Rosenberg - Assistant Editor
Missouri is where Florida wants to be in a year or two, so the expectation here is a Gators loss. At this point in the season, all we can hope for is a competitive game, but Billy Napier’s team hasn’t been great on the road over the past two years.
UF’s defense is going to give up a good amount of points, but the offense should be able to keep up — at least for a little bit. If we’re lucky, Ricky Pearsall will hit the 1,000-yard mark, which he seems destined to reach by the end of the regular season. Trevor Etienne is coming off a three-touchdown game, too, so expect him to make some noise as well.
Missouri 42, Florida 28
Pat Dooley - Staff Writer
The last time Florida went to CoMo, the Gators played one of their best defensive games of the season… and lost in OT. This isn’t about playing at Faurot Field — this is what it has been about too many times this season.
Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz is in his fourth year of building. Billy Napier is in his second. Drinkwitz was 17-19 in his first three years. They gave him time. It has paid off.
Missouri 34, Florida 22
Jesse Richardson - Staff Writer
My stock has officially been pulled out for the season.
Missouri nearly lost their momentum last week, but I don’t see the Florida offense having enough juice to outlast the Tigers. I don’t necessarily think the Gators’ defense is as up to par as I thought they were earlier in the year.
I think Mertz will be able to make the throws he usually does to give his team a chance, but the offense as a whole usually struggles in a hostile environment.
Give me Mizzou with home-field advantage.
Missouri 38, Florida 27
Composite Prediction
The Gators Wire gang unanimously agrees that Mizzou will be too much for Florida this weekend. Call us snake-bitten, but the failures of Napier’s team to capitalize on opportunities while being crippled by terrible coaching over the first 10 games of the season has us collectively fatigued.
How much more can we take? How much more can this team take? We will find out Saturday but expect the Gators to come out on the short end of the stick.
Missouri 37, Florida 25
Read more
Everything Florida HC Billy Napier said to open up Week 12 against Missouri
ESPN projects Florida to play in bowl game following Week 11 loss to LSU
Former Gators coach takes over MSU after Zach Arnett fired
Florida loses commitment from 4-star CB Wardell Mack
Florida football takes another hit in USA TODAY Sports’ Week 11 re-rank
Florida offensive lineman Jordan Herman entering transfer portal
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