Missouri vs. Florida: Complete Game Preview

Just like that, in the blink of an eye, the Gators are playing their final conference game of the season. 

Florida (7-1, 6-1) will host Missouri (4-4, 1-4) this weekend in a SEC East matchup. 

This season has been a disappointment for the Tigers. Many thought that before the season started that it would be Missouri rather than Texas A&M who would acclimate to the SEC the quickest. Missouri has struggled in league play this season while being outscored 143-88 against SEC opponents. 

Will the Gators rebound after their first setback of the season last week or will Missouri pick up its second conference win in as many weeks?

Let's take a look at everything you need to know for this weekend's matchup. 

Gameday Information

Who: Missouri at Florida

When: Saturday, Nov. 3, 12 p.m. ET

Where: Gainesville, Fla. 

Stadium: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548)

TV: ESPN2

Radio: WRUF 850 AM (Gainesville), KFRU 1400 AM (Columbia)

Internet Stream: Watch ESPN

Depth Chart for Missouri

Offense

QB: James Franklin, Corbin Berkstresser

RB: Kendial Lawrence, Marcus Murphy

WR (X): L'Damian Washington, Marcus Lucas

WR (Z): Bud Sasser, Rolandis Woodland

WR (Y): Eric Waters, Dorial Green-Beckham

WR (H): T.J. Moe, Gahn McGaffie

LT: Elvis Fisher, Anthony Gatti 

LG: Evan Boehm, Michael Boddie

C: Mitch Morse, Brad McNulty

RG: Max Copeland, Connor McGovern

RT: Justin Britt, Chris Freeman

Defense

DE: Kony Ealy, Shane Ray

DE: Michael Sam or Brad Madison 

DT: Sheldon Richardson, Lucas Vincent

NG: Matt Hoch, Jimmy Burge

Sam LB: Andrew Wilson, Kentrell Brothers

Mike LB: Will Ebner, Donovan Bonner

Will LB: Zaviar Gooden, Darvin Ruise

CB: Kip Edwards, Randy Ponder

CB: E.J. Gaines, Xavier Smith

SS: Kenronte Walker, Ian Simon

FS: Braylon Webb, Matt White

Special Teams

K: Andrew Baggett, Trey Barrow

P: Trey Barrow, Christian Brinser

KR: Marcus Murphy, T.J. Moe

PR: Marcus Murphy, E.J. Gaines

Depth Chart for Florida

Offense

QB: Jeff Driskel, Jacoby Brissett

RB: Mike Gillislee, Matt Jones or Mack Brown 

FB: Hunter Joyer, Trey Burton

F: Trey Burton, Omarius Hines

TE: Jordan Reed, Clay Burton 

WR (X): Frankie Hammond Jr., Latroy Pittman

WR (Z): Quinton Dunbar, Andre Debose

LT: Xavier Nixon, D.J. Humphries

LG: James Wilson, Ian Silberman

C: Jonotthan Harrison, Sam Robey

RG: Jon Halapio, Jessamen Dunker

RT: Chaz Green, Kyle Koehne

Defense

DE: Dominique Easley, Earl Okine or Jonathan Bullard

DT: Sharrif Floyd, Damien Jacobs

NG: Omar Hunter, Leon Orr

Buck: Lerentee McCray, Dante Fowler Jr. 

Sam LB: Neiron Ball, Darrin Kitchens

Mike LB: Jon Bostic, Michael Taylor

Will LB: Jelani Jenkins, Antonio Morrison

CB: Loucheiz Purifoy, Jaylen Watkins

CB: Marcus Roberson, Jeremy Brown

SS: Matt Elam, De'Ante Saunders

FS: Josh Evans, Jabari Gorman

Special Teams

K: Caleb Sturgis, Brad Phillips

P: Kyle Christy, Todd Fennell 

KR: Andre Debose, De'Ante Saunders

PR: Andre Debose, De'Ante Saunders

What Happened to the Tigers Last Week

Missouri earned its first conference win last week against Kentucky. The Tigers dominated the game in every facet and finished the game off with a 33-10 win. 

The win got Mizzou off of a two game losing streak and is the best they have looked this season. 

Now we know you're excited about winning your first conference game, but a shirt commemorating a win against Kentucky? In football? C'mon Mizzou.

What Happened to the Gators Last Week

Florida stumbled for the first time in 2012 in a 17-9 loss to Georgia. 

For the second straight week Florida's running game was stuffed but this time Florida was not able to make enough plays to overcome that. On top of not being able to run the ball, Florida turned the ball over six times. Coming into the game they had just four turnovers all season. 

What It Means for Both Teams

Florida got out-played last week and will have a sour taste in its mouth after letting a trip to Atlanta all but slip away.

Missouri is riding high off of its first SEC win and will be getting James Franklin back for their trip to Gainesville. 

Florida has played with a chip on its shoulder all season long and that should be magnified this week coming off of a loss. 

Key Player for the Tigers

Sheldon Richardson

The big JUCO transfer is leading Mizzou in tackles and has more tackles than any other interior lineman in the conference. 

His forced fumble and 60 yard recovery sparked Missouri's win last week and Richardson is the key cog in a line that will try to keep Florida's rushing attack in check. 

Florida has made no attempt to hide the fact that they want to run the ball early and often. The Gators will try to do that again this week and stopping the run is the first thing you must do in order to beat the Gators. Richardson is a key part of that equation and stuffing the run starts with him. 

Key Player for the Gators

Jeff Driskel

Jeff Driskel had improved just about every week since being named the starting quarterback. It wasn't until last week that Driskel looked the part of sophomore in his first year as a starter. 

Driskel turned the ball over four times against Georgia and couldn't win the game with his arm as the Gators struggled to get anything going on the ground. 

How will Driskel rebound from the worst game of his career? The way Driskel plays this week will tell you a lot about what he is made of. 

The Tigers Will Win If...

They stop the run, get an early lead and force turnovers. 

Florida has run the ball 89 times for just 170 yards (1.9 yards per carry) in its past two games. Stopping the Gators' rushing attack is the first thing you must do in order to beat the Gators. 

Florida has shown that it's able to come from behind to win games this season but it's not really a team built to come from behind. Florida's run dominant offense takes a lot of time to go down the field and score. If Missouri can get a double digit lead or an early lead it will be an uphill climb for Will Muschamp and the Gators. 

Turnovers will be huge in this game. Missouri is leading the nation in forced fumbles (17) and is second in fumbles recovered (14). Florida was a violator last week and if Missouri can force the Gators to cough the ball up this week it stands a good chance of coming away with the upset. 

The Gators Will Win If...

They get the run game back on track and protect the football. 

Florida is the more talented team in this matchup. How do teams get upset? They create turnovers and make stupid penalties.

Florida is the most penalized team in the conference averaging 8.1 a game. Up until last week Florida had only turned the ball over four times. They need to get back to their early season form and protect the football this Saturday. 

As mentioned before, Florida's running game has been stuffed the past two weeks. Missouri's defense is not as dominant as South Carolina or Georgia but Sheldon Richardson is an All-American candidate who can really impact the running game.

Get Mike Gillislee back on track, control the clock and Florida will end the conference schedule 7-1. 

Prediction

Florida is a 16 point favorite this weekend and it should cover that spread. 

Missouri will struggle to matchup up against Florida's size, speed, athleticism, physicality...do I need to keep going?

Florida will be able to run the ball enough to control the clock and Jeff Driskel will throw the ball a little more this week than he has in the past. The Gators' defense will be ready to play and should be able to contain James Franklin and the Missouri offense. 

Prediction: Florida 30-13