SEC Kickoff: Everything you need to know for Missouri at Florida

Here’s everything you need to know about Saturday’s SEC East matchup between Florida and Missouri in Gainesville.

When: Today
Where: Gainesville, Fla.
Game Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN2
Current Line: Florida (-6)

Game buzz: These teams have flatlined and been left for dead on the side of the road. In actuality, the winner is very much alive in a topsy-turvy SEC East. It’s even possible that Kentucky and Georgia lose, leaving the winner of this game in The Swamp in sole possession of first place in the division. A loss sends Missouri toward two mediocre seasons in three years as a member of the SEC, while a loss for Florida probably means the end of the Will Muschamp era. There’s plenty at stake for these programs despite the fact that it’s not a game of national interest.

SATURDAY DOWN SOUTH PREVIEWS

• Missouri vs. Florida Preview: All eyes will be on the quarterbacks
• Fighting for respect, Missouri still searching for its identity within the SEC
• Hot or Cold: Maty Mauk subpar in SEC play
• Behind Enemy Lines: Q&A with Dave Matter, Missouri beat writer
• Quarterback issues plague Will Muschamp’s time at Florida
• 5 reasons why Treon Harris should start for the Gators
• Muschamp announces Driskel probable starter, Treon Harris will play vs. Missouri

MISSOURI TIGERS

Players to watch:

• QB Maty Mauk
• RB/KR Marcus Murphy
• WR Bud Sasser
• DE Shane Ray
• DE Markus Golden
• LB Michael Scherer

Keys for Missouri:

• Get something from the running game. The receivers have been banged up, the offensive line hasn’t protected that well and Maty Mauk is bailing on nearly every snap. But the Tigers offense is facing second- and third-and-long nearly every series of downs. A modicum of success in the running game would ease the pressure.
• Force a turnover (or turnovers). The Tigers defense once owned the nation’s longest turnover streak at 47 consecutive games. Now Mizzou has started a new streak, failing to force a turnover in three consecutive games. With Jeff Driskel’s wobbly play and the uncertainty surrounding the Gators offense, now’s the time to snap the drought.
• Sell out to stop the run. Missouri isn’t going to change its defense midseason, though the Tigers may be better served giving up less of a cushion with its corners and safeties. Georgia killed this team’s chances last week with 50 decent paper cuts. At least force the Gators to complete short and intermediate passes by attacking the line of scrimmage with Michael Scherer and Kentrell Brothers. Deploy a run blitz on occasion. If Matt Jones and Kelvin Taylor have big days, Missouri’s season is doomed.

Glaring weakness to watch: Mauk. The quarterback was supposed to be a strength — maybe even the strength — for this year’s Missouri team. Instead, Mauk has become a big liability. All the blame doesn’t rest on his shoulders, but if he doesn’t revert to a facsimile of his early-season play, Will Muschamp’s defense will chew him apart.

Most interesting part of the game: For Mizzou fans, it’s whether Shane Ray and Markus Golden can add to their huge sack/tackles for loss total against this Florida team, no matter which quarterback lines up behind center.

Team buzz: Missouri’s offense has stalled, getting shut out in six of its last seven quarters thanks to poor offensive line play, injuries at skill positions and regression by Mauk. Coach Gary Pinkel looked like a potential miracle worker during a dominant 3-0 start to the season, but huge personnel losses have caught up with these Tigers. Missouri has to get better quickly or risk a .500 season.

FLORIDA GATORS

Players to watch:

• QB Jeff Driskel
• DE Dante Fowler
• WR Quinton Dunbar
• CB Vernon Hargreaves
• RB Kelvin Taylor
• RB Matt Jones
• WR Demarcus Robinson
• LB Michael Taylor
• OL Rod Johnson
• LB Neiron Ball
• CB Brian Poole
• TE Clay Burton
• FS Keanu Neal
• LT DJ Humphries

Keys for Florida:

• Keep it simple. The offense will play two quarterbacks and perhaps the best things for the Gators is just to keep it simple. Don’t force Jeff Driskel or Treon Harris to do too much. Hand the ball off, nothing complicated, especially for Harris who will be playing in just his third collegiate game. This will also help neutralize Missouri’s stout pass rush in Shane Ray and Markus Golden.
• Pressure Maty Mauk. As everyone saw last week, Missouri’s offensive line isn’t anything special and it really spooked Mauk throughout the game. He was leaving the pocket early, making careless throws and he paid for it, throwing four interceptions. Florida’s defensive line should be able to get a similar amount of pressure like Georgia did last week. Forcing turnovers will certainly aid what’s been a rather ineffective offense so far this season.
• Get the ball to Brandon Powell. The true freshman athlete made an immediate impact in his first game back from injury last week. Not only did he receive playing time in significant moments, but he was an effective receiver in the passing game. His speed and athleticism is refreshing for a team that lacks much game-breaking speed and he needs the ball in his hands within the offense.

Glaring weakness to watch: Quarterback. Treon Harris certainly could be better than Jeff Driskel, but he’s a huge mystery at this point. No one knows exactly what we’ll see out of the true freshman. As for Driskel, another turnover-prone performance will be a huge blow to the Gators’ chances tonight, especially if Driskel fails to develop any sort of rhythm.

Most interesting part of the game: Florida’s quarterbacks. Frankly, this will be the position that all eyes are focused on tonight. How will the coaching staff divide playing between Driskel and Harris? Will Muschamp is hoping one develops a hot hand and takes over the job, but if that fails to happen, it’ll be interesting to see who gets more playing time, especially as the moments get larger.

Team buzz: Florida has backed itself into a corner with last week’s loss to LSU. The Gators are desperately searching for some life not only on offense, but as an entire team. Florida needs a win this weekend or its aspirations of winning the SEC East will be virtually out the window.

Drew Laing

Drew Laing will be providing analysis and insight on Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.