Fansided

Florida vs Missouri preview, predictions, betting odds, live stream info

By Connor Muldowney

Oct 3, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators running back Kelvin Taylor (21) runs with the ball against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Mississippi Rebels 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators running back Kelvin Taylor (21) runs with the ball against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Mississippi Rebels 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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No. 11 Florida Gators vs. Missouri Tigers

Not many people expected the type of beatdown the Florida Gators put on the Ole Miss Rebels in week five, but Jim McElwain is proving to be a much better coach than anticipated. The Gators have been solid this season, starting off as hot as ever and surprising everyone with a 5-0 record and 3-0 mark in SEC play.

Could the Gators really shock the nation and win the SEC this season? That would either be really impressive on their part or prove that the conference is severely overrated. We do know that this team is no slouch.

Missouri started the season ranked in the top 25, but have slipped lately. The Tigers began the season with a 3-0 record with a couple of unimpressive wins, including a 9-6 snoozer over Connecticut and a seven-point win over Arkansas State.

Losing to Kentucky 21-13 was the blow that knocked this team out of the rankings, but a win over Florida at home could change things a bit. It’s hard to be a real believer in the Tigers, though, as they have just not looked like a contender this year, but more of a pretender.

Details for Saturday’s game are below:

Date: Saturday, Oct. 10
Start Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Columbia, MO
Stadium: Memorial Stadium at Faurot Field
TV Info: SEC Network
Live Stream: WatchESPN app
Radio: For Florida radio affiliates, click here. For Missouri radio affiliates, click here.
Ticket information: For Missouri ticket info, click here. For Florida ticket info, click here.

Keys to Victory

Florida Gators

Get the ball in Will Grier’s hands. That’s basically what the Florida mindset should be in this one since all he seems to be able to do is win, and look good while doing so. He threw four touchdown passes in the first half of the win over Ole Miss and it looked as if he was unstoppable.

The freshman is one of the best young quarterbacks in college football, passing for 996 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions after winning the quarterback battle against Treon Harris to start the year. Oh yeah, and the defense should be able to take care of a struggling Missouri offense.

Missouri Tigers

I don’t know about you, but it seems like Maty Mauk has been the starting quarterback for Missouri for five years now. That should mean he’s experienced enough and talented enough to defeat a team like the No. 11 Gators at home, but unfortunately, he is suspended for this week’s game and it will be up to freshman Drew Lock to get it done.

The real key for the Tigers will be the defense as it has been solid this year, allowing just over 260 total yards per game and just 12 points per contest. Missouri might not be able to score much, so the defense will have to make the stops necessary to keep the offense in the game.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Florida -4.5
Moneyline: Florida -205, Missouri +175
O/U: 39.5

Prediction

Florida will once again add another win to their SEC tally, putting away the Tigers, but it won’t be a pretty one. The Gators are coming off arguably their biggest win in a couple of years, but there’s always the likelihood of a hangover victory, and that will happen against a very average Missouri team.

Final Score: Florida 31, Missouri 21

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