Missouri Tigers vs. Florida Gators: Kickoff time, TV, five things to know
Fresh off a heartbreaking loss to No. 9 Kentucky, Missouri heads to No. 13 Florida for what is likely the Tigers’ final chance to beat a ranked team this season. A win would likely save Barry Odom’s job while a loss would increase the pressure on the team for its final three regular-season games.
The details
Kickoff: 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Fla.
TV: SEC Network
Radio: KMBZ (98.1 FM)
The line: Florida by 6
Five things to know
The Gators are an interesting team: Dan Mullen’s squad isn’t elite on either side of the ball. Florida is in the top-30 nationally in total defense and in the 50s in total offense. It doesn’t do one particular thing well.
If it did do something elite… It’s probably the Gators’ passing defense, which is No. 12 nationally and second in the SEC. Florida has always recruited well in the secondary and Drew Lock will need to watch where he throws the ball.
Florida is fresh off a loss to Georgia: The Gators fell to the Bulldogs 36-17 and the loss hurt Florida’s chances at the SEC East title. There could be some lingering effects on Saturday.
Missouri could be without... Tight end Kendall Blanton, who is week-to-week because of a knee sprain. At this point, there’s no telling as to when wideout Emanuel Hall is coming back.
A win is Barry Odom’s best shot... At keeping his job. If Missouri wins this game there’s a chance the Tigers run the table and finish 8-4. A loss makes the best-case scenario 7-5 with a similar resume to last season. It’s a little early to predict 6-6 but that could cost Odom his job.
Alex Schiffer
Alex Schiffer covers University of Missouri athletics for The Star.
