Can Florida Football Sustain Success on Missouri’s Turf?

Florida football has torn apart defenses at a historic rate to start the season, while keeping opposing offenses contained. But can the Gators sustain it? 

The No. 8 Gators (4-0, 2-0 SEC) play at Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri at 3:30 p.m. Saturday to take on the No. 25 Tigers (3-1, 0-1), looking for their first road win against a ranked opponent since taking down No. 23 Mississippi State in 2018. 

Off the tail of the Gators’ first win against a Top-5 opponent since defeating Georgia in 2020, coach Jon Sumrall insisted on keeping the team honest. 

“If we don’t look in the mirror and own where we’re deficient still, somebody else will show it to us,” Sumrall said Monday. 

Statistics say the Tigers could be the team to do it.

The Gators trail by a game (7-6) in the all-time series against the Tigers, and they have not won on the Tigers’ turf since 2019’s 23-6 decision.  

The Gators pass rush faces their toughest opponent yet. Missouri holds the highest PFF pass blocking grade nationally (92.6) and have allowed only four sacks, good enough for 22nd nationally. 

“It starts up front with them. I think this is the best offensive line we have played,” Sumrall said. “They play with a demeanor that I respect. I just think they play the game the way it’s meant to be played.”

Tigers quarterback Austin Simmons could expose vulnerabilities in the Gators’ defense. He ranks seventh nationally in passing touchdowns (11) and 35th nationally in yards per completion (13.53). On top of that, Simmons has not thrown an interception.

Though the Gators have kept receivers in front of them and only allowed five passing touchdowns, the Gators slot 113th nationally in passing yards allowed per game and 51st nationally in NCAA passing efficiency allowed (119.94). 

However, overcoming the Tigers offensive line can stifle Simmons’ passing ability. Simmons has completed 4-of-15 passes for 54 yards while under pressure, according to PFF. The Gators’ defensive line has also been one of the best finishing defensive lines nationally, ranking 18th in team sacks (12.0).

On the other side of the line, the Tigers stand near the top of the country as well. They also rank 18th nationally in team sacks (12.0), and they have the nation’s highest PFF pass rushing grade (90.2). 

But, junior quarterback Aaron Philo has proven himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the country at facing pressure. 

Philo ranks 24th nationally in passing yards under pressure (234), 13th in touchdowns (2) and 10th in completion percentage (63.2) among quarterbacks that have faced at least 15 pressures, according to PFF.

Additionally, the Tigers struggled to get after Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor, only pressuring him seven times, according to PFF. The Bulldogs rank 90th nationally in PFF pass block grade (62.6), far behind the 15th ranked Gators (83.0).

Although the Tigers rushing defense also ranks 31st nationally in rushing yards allowed per game (100.2), they were susceptible to the Mississippi State rushing attack, allowing running back Fluff Bothwell to amass 122 yards and a touchdown in last week’s loss in Starkville.

In a good sign for junior running back Jadan Baugh, Bothwell ranks 12 spots behind Baugh nationally in rushing yards (402), 65 spots behind Baugh in touchdowns (3) and 35 spots behind Baugh in yards per carry (5.51).

The Gators’ discipline issues is an area that still needs improvement, ranking 122nd nationally in fewest penalties (35). Luckily for Florida, Missouri has its own discipline issues. The Tigers have only three fewer penalties than the Gators. 

With a close matchup looming, Sumrall emphasized the standards he puts on his players.  

“Nobody in our building should be celebrating anything. If we are, then we’re totally off-base at how you find success over the long term,” Sumrall said. “Teams that have an edge about them and hunger about them, they win. Complacent, soft, entitled, lazy, selfish teams, they lose.”

Coverage Saturday starts at 12:30 p.m. on WRUF 98.1-FM/850-AM/103.7 HD2 and at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

Category: Feature Sports News, Gator Sports, Gators Football