Florida (5-5, 3-4 SEC) will look for bowl eligibility in week 12 against No.9 Missouri (8-2, 4-2 SEC) inside Memorial Stadium. The all-time series lead is on the line as the two teams are tied at 6-6 dating back to the first meeting in 1965. Florida has won three of the last four meetings against Missouri, outscoring the Tigers, 111-64, in that span (11.8 PPG).
I reached out to Sammy Stava, a contributor at Rock M Nation, to learn more about the 2023 Missouri Tigers. Here’s our Q&A. You can find more of Sammy Stava’s work on Twitter (X) @StavaonSTL.
Q. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the 2023 Missouri Tigers?
SS: The strength of this Mizzou team is their new-look offense under newly hired offensive coordinator Kirby Moore. In 10 games this season, they have scored 30+ points in eight of them. They’re a dynamic unit with experience and talent mixed in. Meanwhile, it’s tough to find a weakness for an 8-2 team with their only losses to LSU and Georgia, but some of Mizzou’s weaknesses have been on the defensive side – as the secondary has allowed some big plays at inopportune times and they have struggled to get off the field on 3rd downs. Mizzou is ranked 9th in the College Football Playoff for a reason – they’re a good, but flawed team. But their strengths outweigh their weaknesses.
Q. Last year you told me Brady Cook was a solid and adequate quarterback; do you believe he has surpassed that? How has his game improved? What are his weaknesses?
SS: Brady Cook has certainly surpassed being a solid quarterback as he’s become one of the better quarterbacks in the SEC – behind Jayden Daniels and Jalen Milroe. His game has simply improved because of another season of experience as he’s in his junior season – and he’s been overall healthy. Also, the wide receiver room helps him as the unit is more talented and deeper along the likes of Luther Burden, Theo Wease, and Mookie Cooper. However, there is some weaknesses to his game as he’s thrown six interceptions on the season – with four of those coming in critical times against LSU and Georgia. Overall, he’s taken that step to a solid quarterback to a real good one – but he’s not at that ‘elite’ level quite yet.
Q. How would you evaluate Missouri’s defense through ten games. How do you expect them to attack Florida’s offense? Give us a few players to look out for on that side of the ball.
SS: Missouri’s defense is a cohesive unit that has really improved since the season has gone along – and ever since the 49-39 loss to Jayden Daniels and LSU, they only allowed 21 points on the road to Kentucky, they didn’t allow a TD against Spencer Rattler and South Carolina. Even the 30-21 loss on the road was an encouraging defensive performance. And the 36-7 win over Tennessee last week tells you what you need to know. I’d expect this defense to really create havoc and get after Graham Mertz to blitz him as much as they can. The players to watch out for on the defensive side are CB Kris Abrams-Draine and DL Darius Robinson – who are both getting NFL Draft buzz. One thing to keep an eye on is that Florida linebacker transfer Ty’Ron Hopper is listed as questionable on the injury report.
Q. What are Missouri’s keys to victory over the Gators?
SS: The keys to this game for Missouri is to limit the turnovers, get out to a lead first, and control the tempo. Mizzou is playing at home in a primetime atmosphere – and they need to use that to their advantage. Missouri’s defense also needs to avoid Trevor Etienne going for long runs and big pass plays from Graham Mertz to Ricky Pearsall.
Q: Missouri is an 11-point favorite over the Gators in week 12. How do you see this game going? Give us a score prediction.
SS: I respect Florida as a program. Yes, it’s been a long year under head coach Billy Napier – but they’re still playing for bowl eligibility – and that’s a dangerous situation for the opponent. Overland Park, KS native Graham Mertz will probably have a lot of family and friends at the game for this one – so he’ll be ready to put on a show.
Having said that, Missouri won’t ‘overlook’ Florida in somewhat of a trap game. It’s Senior Night at Faurot Field and they have a New Year’s Six bowl ahead of them. They won’t let that opportunity go to waste. It will be a close game for three quarters or so – but Mizzou ends up with a 35-23 victory.