Here come the Florida Gators.
The No. 8 team in the nation, which rocketed up 13 spots in the polls after its 52-28 shellacking of previously No. 4 Ole Miss last Saturday, takes on No. 25 Mizzou as part of a nationwide tradition started at the University of Missouri in 1911.
Homecoming.
The challenge is crystal clear for the Tigers (3-1) after last Saturday’s 31-24 loss at Mississippi State. Mizzou has not beaten a ranked SEC team in the Eli Drinkwitz era. Florida’s steamroller offense piled up 498 yards against Ole Miss in the beatdown at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, but the Rebels weren’t exactly silent with 426 yards of offense.
Florida also has the SEC’s leading rusher in Jadan Baugh (watch for No. 13). Gators QB Aaron Philo has put up some gawdy passing numbers, including a 72 percent completion rate and an almost otherworldly average of 14.6 yards per completion. For a Mizzou secondary that has consistently been burned by the deep pass, that’s a big red flag.
Florida’s vaunted offensive front four will likely get a bigger test from Mizzou’s relentless pass rush, and keeping control and possession of the ball will weigh heavily in this one. The Gators thrashing of the Rebels included two turnovers that led to scores. For Mizzou, meanwhile, quarterback Austin Simmons has yet to throw an interception.
The major sports books have listed Florida as a 5.5-point favorite, with an over-under of 57.5. A high-scoring passing party might be the Tigers’ best bet for slaying the Gators.
For what it’s worth, the home side has won the last four meetings between the Tigers and the Gators since 2019. Mizzou won 33-31 in 2023.
Saturday’s kickoff at 100-year-old Memorial Stadium is set for 2:30 p.m. The game will be televised on ABC.
Mizzou Homecoming dates back 115 years, when former football coach Chester Brewer famously called on alumni to come home for a football game against the University of Kansas. The MU-KU rivalry has only grown since then. More than 9,000 fans answered Brewer’s call, launching a tradition that would spread to campuses across the country.
