The 2015 Florida Gators aren’t the Homecoming opponent Missouri thought it was getting.

Missouri hosts No. 11 Florida (5-0) on Saturday night for the Homecoming game at the school that invented the tradition. Recent Homecoming opponents have ranged from terrible (Vanderbilt, 2014; Kentucky 2012) to ranked teams that fell just short of expectations (South Carolina 2013; Oklahoma 2010).

Florida was supposed to be something in between – a talented program in the middle of a rebuild that would put up a good fight but ultimately lose to the two-time SEC East champions. For Florida coach Jim McElwain, though, putting up a good fight is no longer an objective as the Gators look to yank the division away from the Tigers.

McElwain and Florida QB Will Grier have been the story so far. Grier (67.2 percent completion rate, 996 passing yards, 10 TDs and just 3 INTs) has elevated the play of targets around him, including WR Demarcus Robinson (251 receiving yards), WR Brandon Powell (3 TDs) and TE Jake McGee (16 receptions), while opening up space for RB Kelvin Taylor. Florida is scoring about 35 points a game with a fairly balanced combination of intermediate throws, designed runs and some package plays. The redshirt freshman quarterback is getting better each start while also managing games well as McElwain reveals more of his playbook.

But the Gators have also improved on a previous strength: their defense. Florida is allowing 16.6 points per game, which is more than Missouri but has also been accomplished against better opposition (the Gators already have Tennessee and Ole Miss checked off their schedule, as well as Kentucky, who only scored 9 against Florida compared to 21 against the Tigers).

Many Florida players from last year’s loss to Missouri are back, including Vernon Hargreaves III (9 career INTs), DT Jonathan Bullard (4.5 sacks) and DE Alex McCallister (4.0 sacks). The defense seems to be swarming to the ball better than last year as it has more time to recover between series with the Florida offense able to keep drives alive. In fact, Florida has close to a three minute time of possession advantage compared to the Tigers this season, although Missouri’s numbers have risen since Drew Lock took over at quarterback.

Protecting Lock will be key, and it’s still unknown how well RT Nate Crawford will play coming off an injury. Bullard, in particular, could be a nightmare for Missouri. Florida defensive coordinator Geoff Collins has been rotating the versatile lineman inside and outside, and one can’t help but think of the possible mismatch he could create should he line up across of Missouri’s revolving door of left guards.

Whether it was Lock’s intermediate passes opening up space or Missouri’s line blocking well against South Carolina, Missouri running backs had their best game of the season last week. Matching that production will be a challenge against Florida, which is only allowing 97.8 rushing yards a game.

Tennessee has been the only team to run the ball well against Florida, in large part due to Vols QB Josh Dobbs’ mobility. Maybe some options like the ones we saw against the Gamecocks will open up running space, but it’s doubtful Missouri offensive coordinator Josh Henson is going to have Lock on a lot of designed runs against a Gators defense that can hit hard.

FLORIDA GATORS CLOSER LOOK

Top player, offense: Will Grier, RS Fr., QB – A revelation this season, Grier is second in the SEC in completion percentage (67.2).

Top player, defense: Jonathan Bullard, Sr., DT – Has 4.5 sacks, 4th-most in the SEC, and can line up at end or tackle.

Top player, special teams: P Johnny Townsend, RS So., P – Is third in the SEC in punting average (44.9 yards).