Florida at Missouri: Prediction, pick, line, odds, live stream, watch online, TV channel, game preview

By Adam Silverstein
November 4, 2017
Florida at Missouri: Prediction, pick, line, odds, live stream, watch online, TV channel, game preview
Football

With a new head coach and starting quarterback, the Florida Gators take the field as for an early kickoff on Saturday on the road at the Missouri Tigers. Mizzou is fresh off a couple confidence-building wins, while Florida has hit rock bottom following three straight losses and the midseason firing of its coach.

Here’s what you need to know and how you can watch Gators-Tigers.


Viewing information

Date: Saturday, Nov. 4 | Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Memorial Stadium – Columbia, Missouri [Capacity: 71,168]

TV: ESPN2 (Jason Benetti, Kelly Stouffer, Kris Budden)
Live stream: WatchESPN.com | Watch ESPN apps
SiriusXM: 134, 191 | Radio: Gator Radio Network [Affiliates]

Live Updates: @OnlyGators on Twitter

Tale of the tape

Florida Gators Missouri Tigers
Head coach Randy Shannon Barry odom
Record 3-4 (3-3 SEC) 3-5 (0-4 SEC)
Conference Southeastern Southeastern

Three things to know

1. Third time’s a charm? The Gators will be starting their third quarterback of the season on Saturday when graduate transfer Malik Zaire begins the game under center. Zaire is the most mobile signal caller on Florida’s roster and was expected to factor into UF’s offensive gameplan when transferring into the program but instead has only seen spot action in two games thus far. The former Notre Dame starter lost his job with the Irish due to injuries and competition, and now it appears he has a legitimate opportunity to take the gig for the rest of the season if he can pull off a road win at Missouri following the partying of ways by Florida with former head coach Jim McElwain.

2. New energy in the building? The Gators were a bunch of dead fish under McElwain this season, but Shannon appears to have injected new life into the team as interim head coach. Whether that improves on-field play remains to be seen, but there is no question that Florida appears — at least externally — motivated to play hard in a difficult situation. As a former Miami coach, Shannon steps into this role with experience, so there should not be a massive drop-off in terms of overall game management. In fact, one could argue it will likely be better.

3. More missing pieces: Some additional season-ending injuries have handicapped the Gators even further. It will be up to running backs sophomore Lamichal Perine and redshirt senior Mark Thompson to lead the way offensively as Zaire attempts to find his footing early in Saturday’s game. Florida actually has a bit of an advantage coming into Columbia with there not being a lot of tape on Zaire, but that can all change by halftime if Mizzou adjusts.

Prediction and analysis

Spread: Florida +3 | O/U: 62

It’s legitimately crazy that Mizzou is favored over Florida. That’s not to say the line is incorrect — the Tigers deserve to be this season as the Gators have been an absolute mess — but that does not change the fact that it is an insane situation for UF to enter on Saturday. I’ve looked at this game from so many different angles that I absolutely believe this is a complete toss-up. But ultimately, there is a pattern with Missouri that appears to carry over from year to year.

The Tigers have outscored non-Power Five opponents 192-76 this season; they have been outscored 210-92 by the SEC and Purdue. The Gators’ offense is bad, and their defense is reeling … but that does not necessarily mean Mizzou is going to pick Florida apart. Let’s roll with UF — a more talented overall team with a better kicking game — getting a field goal on the road with the total staying under 62 due to a pure grind-it-out gameplan from UF.

2017 records: ATS picks 3-4 | O/U picks 6-1

Injuries and absences

Suspended (9): WR Antonio Callaway, RB Jordan Scarlett, DL Keivonnis Davis, DL Richerd Desir-Jones, DL Jordan Smith, WR Rick Wells, LB James Houston IV, LB Ventrell Miller, OL Kadeem Telfort

Questionable (3): ATH Kadarius Toney (shoulder), WR Josh Hammond (back), DB C.J. McWilliams (hamstring)
Out (13): LB Kylan Johnson (hamstring), DL Jachai Polite (shoulder), DB Shawn Davis (undisclosed), DB Quincy Lenton (knee), LB Nick Smith (knee), WR James Robinson (heart), RB Malik Davis (knee – season), DB Nick Washington (shoulder – season), DE Jordan Sherit (hip – season), DB Garrett Stephens (knee – season), QB Luke Del Rio (collarbone – season), DB Marcell Harris (Achilles – season), QB Kyle Trask (foot – season)

Game notes

» Florida is 3-3 all-time against Missouri with the teams an even 1-1 in Columbia. The Gators and Tigers have combined to win the last four SEC East division titles.
» UF is 214-13 since 1990 when an opponent scores 21 points or fewer in a contest, including 19-2 over the last 2+ seasons.
» In that same time frame, the Gators are 18-3 against unranked opponents and 4-8 against ranked opponents. UF is 16-1 when outrushing an opponent, 18-5 when scoring first, 16-3 when leading at half and 10-1 when winning the turnover battle. UF is 9-3 in one-possession games and 13-9 in games decided by eight points or more.
» Florida owns the nation’s longest streak of returning either a kickoff or punt for a touchdown, doing so in 12 consecutive seasons. It has yet to do so in 2017.
» The Gators have the second-most wins in the nation since 1990 (261).
» Florida has scored in 368 straight games, the longest active streak in the nation and longest streak all-time.

Uniforms

Florida will wear white jerseys, orange pants and orange helmets on Saturday, while Mizzou counters with all-black uniforms at home for the noon kickoff.

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