College football Week 9: Florida, Texas A&M among 5 teams on upset alert

College football upset alert No. 5: Florida Gators

Rank: 10 | Opponent: Missouri Tigers | Time: Saturday, Oct. 31, 7:30 p.m. ET

Due to a COVID-19 cancellation and then a bye week, we haven’t seen the Florida Gators on the field in three weeks. And the last time we got a glimpse of Dan Mullen’s group, they were getting knocked off by Texas A&M. Even with that, there’s a lot to like about the Gators with what they’ve shown amid a 2-1 start.

Kyle Trask, along with playmakers such as tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver/running back Kadarius Toney, have taken the Florida offense and completely revamped it. A unit that has been an issue for the program in years past is now a bonafide strength. However, the rise of the offense may have unfortunately come at the same time that the defense has declined. And that’s why the Gators are vulnerable against Missouri.

Make no mistake, the Tigers are on the road and are not as talented top-to-bottom as Florida. While that may be true, new head coach Eli Drinkwitz has shown over the past two weeks that he’s, in essence, a mad scientist in his lab when scheming up how to attack on both sides of the ball. With some playmakers and the susceptibility of the Gators, that leaves a window of opportunity.

Not only does Florida have an obvious weakness that can be exploited but the fact that players have been dealing with COVID-19, quarantines and time off the field doesn’t work in their favor either. This might not look like an obvious upset pick for Week 9 but the Gators are very much in a position where they could lose their second straight contest.