Game Day: Florida vs Missouri, Saturday 4 pm (SEC Network)

Saturday, November 3

Gainesville, FL

4 PM

Florida Gators

Missouri

Buy Tickets

Game Day: Florida vs Missouri, Saturday 4 pm (SEC Network)

Saturday, November 3, 2018 | Football, Chris Harry

By: Chris Harry, Senior Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators have played six games over the previous 49 days, but only once along the way at Spurrier/Florida Field. It was a memorable one, to be sure, as UF defeated LSU on an afternoon the "Swamp" was very much alive. That was nearly a month ago.

Now, it's time for the Gators and their home-field advantage to make up for lost time. When No. 13 Florida (6-2, 4-2) takes on Southeastern Conference East Division foe Missouri (4-4, 0-4) Saturday it will mark the first of three straight home dates. Coach Dan Mullen and his squad. a week removed from a disappointing loss to rival Georgia that eliminated UF from the league race, want desperately to seize on the advantageous schedule and pile up enough wins to make a case for a prime bowl game invitation in January.

Florida, of course, was home for the bowl season last year when it finished 4-7 — just the program's second losing record since 1980 — and is in the midst of a wonderfully positive turn-around type campaign. Last week's loss did not change that.

Defending the "Swamp" the next three weeks will only bolster the notion that UF is climbing back into the national consciousness.

[Read senior writer Scott Carter's comprehensive "Opening Kickoff" preview here]

Enter the Tigers, led by senior quarterback Drew Lock (61 percent, 2,144 yards, 16 TDs, 6 INTs), one of just nine players in SEC history to throw for at least 10,000 yards in a career. Mizzou has the No. 3 offense in the league (469.6 yards per game), has an adequate rushing attack (185.6 ypg), led by tailback Larry Rountree (594 yards, 8 TDs) and four receivers with at least 18 catches and 366 yards.

For context, UF's leading receiver has 19 catches and 265 yards.

Lock will come in ready to sling it.

The Florida pass rush needs a bounceback performance Saturday against Mizzou.

The Florida defense is expected to have CJ Henderson back in the lineup after the standout cornerback injured his back and left the game for good on the opening series of the Georgia game. The Gators are allowing just 336.5 yards per game (that's seventh in the SEC), but surrendered 429 to Georgia and were gashed with four touchdowns on third down. The UF defensive line, led by Jachai Polite, that was on such a great run heading to Jacksonville was limited to a single sack against the Bulldogs. The Gators will need to get back to their pressuring ways for this game.

Should Lock and friends managed to get things rolling, Feleipe Franks and his buddies will have to answer against a Tigers defense that checks in next-to-last in the league (414.8 ypg), but has been pretty good against the run (126.5 ypg, which is sixth in the SEC). In the event the Gators get into a rhythm on offense, they'll need to take care of the football better than the previous two weeks when they turned it over six times, including two interceptions and two fumbles by Franks.

The Tigers' best win of the season was a 40-37 victory at Purdue, which two weeks ago knocked then-second-ranked Ohio State from the ranks of the unbeaten. Mizzou stayed with Georgia before losing by two touchdowns and got crushed 39-10 by Alabama, but the Tigers have two SEC losses that were decided on the final play: 37-35 at South Carolina and 15-14 at home last week against Kentucky, a game they failed to get a first down during the entire second half.

Now Mizzou is back on the road.

And Florida is at home — for the first of three straight.

Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on the SEC Network, with Tom Hart on play-by-play, Jordan Rodgers Gary providing analysis and Cole Cubelic working the sideline. Replays will air Sunday at 6 p.m. and Wednesday at 1 a.m., also on the SEC Network, plus also be available on the ESPN app and WatchESPN.com.

Click here for a station list of the Gator IMG Sports Network broadcast, with pre-game coverage starting at noon.

Also, check out the "First & 10 Pre-Game Show," hosted by GatorVision's Shelby Granath, coming from the field via Facebook Live on the Florida Gators page at 3 p.m. This week's lineup includes a chat with Mullen, as well as a visit with UF men's basketball coach Mike White, whose team opens the 2018-19 season Tuesday night at Florida State. Celebrity "Ms. Two Bits" Angie McGinnins, the former Gators volleyball standout and three-time All-American, will stop by. McGinnis was inducted Friday night into the UF Athletic Hall of Fame, with a couple of her fellow Class of '18 Gator Greats, Caroline Burkle (swimming) and Lito Sheppard (football), also schedule for a visit. UF president Kent Fuchs, as well.

Finally, follow senior staff writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry on Twitter (@GatorsScott and @GatorsChris) for commentary and analysis throughout the game. FloridaGators.com will have complete coverage content from the game Saturday night and fresh content Sunday, as well.