Why Missouri Is the Biggest Game of Will Muschamp's Florida Career

Florida State, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama.

These are all of the games on Florida's schedule that, back in August, were widely assumed held the keys to the Gators' 2014 season and, in turn, head coach Will Muschamp's career.

Instead, it's Missouri that is driving the bus.

The Gators will host the Tigers on Saturday in what is—by far—the biggest game of Muschamp's head coaching career.

Phil Sandlin/Associated Press/Associated Press

With two losses already in the books and games against the Seminoles, Bulldogs and Gamecocks approaching, there's absolutely no margin for error for Muschamp anymore. His crew will likely be underdogs in at least two of those games and, depending on how the quarterback situation shakes out with redshirt junior Jeff Driskel and true freshman Treon Harris, probably more.

If Muschamp is going to stay employed beyond 2014, he has to not only beat the Tigers, but manage his quarterbacks properly.

"We're going to see who has the hot hand," Muschamp said on Wednesday. "And see who's helping move our football team and gives us the best opportunity to win. We'll make that decision as we go through the game. Both guys deserve, and have earned the opportunity, to play."

Whoever starts at quarterback will have a revitalized defense helping him out.

The Gators are giving up just 269 yards per game over the last two games—a win over Tennessee and a loss to LSU. That's a stark change from September, when Florida gave up 450 yards in a triple-overtime win over Kentucky and 672 in a blowout loss at Alabama.

It's a recipe for some success, as 247Sports.com's Thomas Goldkamp notes:

"

This isn't the 2012 defense, but it's been way better than first few weeks. Couple that with great special teams and Muschamp ball works.

— Thomas Goldkamp (@Goldkamp247) October 12, 2014"

How much depends on the quarterback being smart with the football, which has been more myth than reality in Gainesville this season?

That better change this week, because if they fall to a Missouri team that's struggling offensively under quarterback Maty Mauk, the outlook for the rest of the season will look incredibly bleak.

An 8-3 record likely will keep Muschamp employed, but 7-4 might get him fired—depending on which four teams those losses come against. A blowout to Alabama and a home loss to a mediocre LSU team hasn't helped matters, and another to a sputtering Missouri team would all but seal Muschamp's fate.

To borrow a line from Jonathon Moxon on Varsity Blues, it's "the next 60 minutes, for the next year of his life."

Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and video analyst for Bleacher Report, as well as a co-host of the CFB Hangover on Bleacher Report Radio (Sundays, 9-11 a.m. ET) on Sirius 93, XM 208.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of cfbstats.com, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports. Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.