Missouri-Florida college football preview

When/where: 6 p.m. Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.

TV/radio: ESPN2; KMBZ (980 AM)

The series: Missouri leads 2-1

The line: Florida by 5 1/2

MISSOURI (4-2, 1-1 SEC)

FLORIDA (3-2, 2-2 SEC)

What’s at stake

Bowl eligibility? Obviously, it’s something of an elimination game in the SEC East race, but that ship probably sailed with the loss to Georgia anyway. Looking ahead at Missouri’s schedule after Florida and Vanderbilt, the finishing kick against Kentucky, at Texas A&M and Tennessee and versus Arkansas looks treacherous.

Cheers if ...

Missouri’s offense finds its legs again. The Tigers have been staggered the last few weeks. While the passing game has taken the brunt of criticism, Missouri isn’t running the ball effectively either. It’s up to offensive coordinator Josh Henson and quarterback Maty Mauk to revive things before they goes from bad to worse.

Jeers if ...

Florida, and its quarterback platoon of Jeff Driskel and Treon Harris, light up the scoreboard in The Swamp. The Gators have struggled offensively almost as much as the Tigers this season. Missouri needs to keep that trend going. Defensive coordinator Dave Steckel’s unit has made great strides since the Indiana loss.

Three things about Florida

1 Driskel has struggled, completing less than 55 percent of his passes with eight interceptions and only six touchdowns. Gator Nation is clamoring for Harris, but he’s inexperienced aside from a late-game appearance at Tennessee when he completed two of four passes for 17 yards.

2 Florida averages more than three sacks and eight tackles for a loss per game. Backup defensive end Alex McCalister, who had 1 1/2 sacks and 2 1/2 tackles for a loss last week against LSU, leads the charge along with fellow end Dante Fowler Jr., who is tied with McCalister’s team lead at five tackles for a loss and second with 2 1/2 sacks.

3 Florida’s top two running backs, junior Matt Jones and sophomore Kelvin Taylor, average only 4.9 yards per game, but both are dangerous and potentially game-changing runners.

Key matchup

Missouri’s receivers vs. Florida’s secondary: Missouri needs to protect better up front and quarterback Maty Mauk needs to make better decisions consistently, but it won’t matter if the Tigers’ receivers don’t get open. The Gators’ starting cornerbacks, junior Brian Poole and sophomore Vernon Hargreaves III, are as good as it gets.

MISSOURI OFFENSE

MISSOURI DEFENSE

FLORIDA OFFENSE

FLORIDA DEFENSE

Tod Palmer’s pick: Florida 20-17

Both offenses are struggling, but both defense are playing well. The difference might be Florida’s ability to create turnovers. Missouri hasn’t managed a takeaway in three straight games. That has to change to escape The Swamp with a win.

This story was originally published October 16, 2014 at 4:36 PM with the headline "Missouri-Florida college football preview."