Florida heads to Missouri this week with plenty of momentum and a strong edge in the numbers. The Gators are 4-0 after last week’s win over Ole Miss, and ESPN is giving them a 70.2 percent chance to beat the Tigers on the road.
That sets up a tricky spot for Jon Sumrall’s team. Florida has climbed back into the national conversation, but this matchup has the feel of a classic trap game after such a big victory. The Gators also have a demanding stretch ahead, with South Carolina at home after this one, then back-to-back games against Texas and Georgia.
Missouri enters at 3-1 and ranked No. 25, while Florida sits at No. 8. A win in Columbia would only add to the Gators’ resume and keep the unbeaten start rolling.
The offense continues to run through Jadan Baugh, who has become one of the biggest storylines in the country. Through four games, the star running back has piled up 600 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, fueling the Heisman Trophy buzz around him. If he stays on that pace against Missouri, Florida’s path to another win gets a lot smoother.
The Gators will also need Aaron Philo to keep steering the attack. The quarterback has thrown for 917 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions this season, and he has already turned plenty of heads after Florida brought him in over the offseason despite his limited college experience.
Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET from Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia.
In Other News...
Buster Faulkner Faces A Career Choice Florida Fans Should Watch
Buster Faulkner has quickly become one of the more intriguing names in the college football coaching market, and that makes him a figure Florida fans have a reason to monitor closely. As the Gators offensive coordinator, he has built enough buzz to be seen as a likely head coach candidate in the near future, which puts him squarely in the kind of carousel talk that always seems to reach Gainesville and Tallahassee at the same time.
Florida State is the name being floated as a possible landing spot, with the Seminoles expected to have an opening after the likely firing of Mike Norvell. It would be a difficult job for anyone stepping in, and the appeal would come with plenty of baggage, from program instability to questions about leadership and direction. For Florida, the stakes are obvious: when a rising coordinator starts drawing head-coaching attention this fast, keeping him in place is never simple. [Read more 🡒]
Former Florida Standout Steps Away And Gators Fans Will Wonder Why
Chris Raineys latest move is one Gators fans will notice because it comes from a familiar face who has stayed close to the game in Florida. The former Florida standout and NFL player announced he is stepping away from his roles as head track and field coach and junior varsity football assistant coach at Trinity Catholic High School, ending a stint that kept him involved in shaping young athletes on the prep side.
Rainey said he was having difficulty coaching the way he believes he should, which is the kind of line that suggests a deeper frustration than a routine career change. He also made a point of thanking the athletes, parents and coaches who supported him, leaving Florida followers to wonder what led him to this decision and what comes next for one of the programs more recognizable former players. [Read more 🡒]
Brian Kelly Just Put Florida's Fast Start On Upset Watch
Floridas fast start is drawing plenty of attention this week, and not all of it is comfortable for the Gators. The latest reminder came from CBS Sports, where former LSU and Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly picked No. 25 Missouri to knock off No. 8 Florida when the teams meet Saturday afternoon at Faurot Field. It is the kind of road-game skepticism that follows a team with real momentum, especially when the opponent is ranked and playing at home.
Kellys call stood out because the other CBS Sports analysts on the panel leaned the other way. Brian Jones, Aaron Taylor and Rick Neuheisel all backed Florida, pointing to the Gators rushing attack and Missouris defensive concerns as reasons the unbeaten buzz should keep building. Still, the split forecast only adds a little more edge to a matchup that already has upset potential written all over it, with Florida set to find out whether its early-season form travels at 3:30 p.m. ET. [Read more 🡒]