The Florida Gators enter week six with a 3-2 record, looking for their first SEC win.
It’s homecoming weekend in Gainesville. The Gators are set to clash with the Missouri Tigers at noon in the Swamp.
The Gators are looking to gain momentum entering the halfway point of the 2022 season. Gator Country gives you a roundtable preview for Florida vs Missouri.
What are your keys for this team on offense this week?
AS: The biggest key is to establish the run early so that the pressure is taken off the back of Anthony Richardson as much as possible. The key all season is going to be Richardson but if the running game is working, it allows Richardson to settle into things. The Gators need to be physical in this game and show Missouri that they’re different team than in the past.
Nick: The key to this offense is establishing Anthony Richardson in the run game early and often. Richardson and this offense are at its best in all areas when he’s a threat to run. Richardson’s aggressiveness is a key to victory in this one.
Gentry: Anthony Richardson must continue to perform at the level he’s played the past two weeks. Since the Tennessee game, Richardson has managed to throw for 693 yards in the air, with 1,116 passing yards and four touchdowns on the season. When Richardson is on his game, the receivers, and this offense flow quite well. Although, I’d like to see the run game get utilized more this weekend to help the passing game a bit.
What does the Gators need to do on defense to limit the Tigers?
AS: Taking away the running game is the biggest thing for me as the Tigers haven’t thrown the ball particularly well and they’ve also been prone to the interception this year. If the Gators can force Missouri into throwing the ball, it will help this team settle in against the Tigers.
Nick: Eliminating the running game is the key to victory on defense. Missouri has two quality running backs that should see the ball often against the Gators. Forcing Brady Cook to throw the ball is the Gators best chance to win.
Gentry: The defense must rattle Brady Cook in the pocket and bring pressure for four quarters straight, with the defensive backs not letting receivers fly right past them. If the defense can limit Cook and look like a brand new secondary on the field for Florida Saturday, things should well for the Gators given the offense performs well.
The Gators have 845 passing yards in the last two weeks and 415 rushing yards. Will Anthony Richardson and the Gators go back to dominating the running game or continue their success through the air?
AS: I expect them to try and get the running game going early on but that will probably take throwing the ball successfully first before the running game is able to get the numbers in their favor. Once Richardson gets going through the air, the box should even out and Florida should be able to run the ball.
Nick: I have a feeling you may see Richardson throw the ball around early in this game. Missouri’s front seven is the strength of their team and they are going to try and key in on the run. If the pass game is effective, that will open things up for the run game, which is ultimately where the Gators are most comfortable.
Gentry: I would like to see the offense keep thriving in the passing game, as it’s been the strength of this offense the last two games. However, I think Montrell Johnson and Trevor Etienne will be heavily utilized this weekend and will take some weight off the passing game. The way the offensive line and Anthony Richardson perform Saturday will give us an early look at what’s to come the rest of the game Saturday.
Who do you want to see get more snaps in week six?
AS: Chris McClellan is the top guy for me, McClellan has shown at times that he’s the Gators second best defensive tackle behind Gervon Dexter and the Gators have been looking for that second guy all year. McClellan is a physical and strong tackle and against Missouri he could have a big game.
Nick: Miguel Mitchell is the pick for me this week. Mitchell was my MVP of week five. He totaled seven tackles, a TFL, and a forced fumble in the win. With the inconsistency at the safety position, I want to see the Gators use Miguel Mitchell in the rotation more often. He looks comfortable and confident at the position.
Gentry: After the past two games there’s a very large number of players I could mention here, but in the end, I’m going to have to go with Kamari Wilson. With Trey Dean starting at safety again, I’m curious to see just how many snaps Wilson will get this weekend. Personally, I’d like to see Kamari Wilson get just as much, if not more snaps than Trey Dean Saturday. Now I don’t think it’ll happen, but it’d be cool if it did. I think Kamari Wilson has crazy potential. Chris McClellan and Caleb Douglas are also two names that also come to mind when mentioning who deserves more snaps.
What will be the keys for victory for the Gators this week?
AS: Anthony Richardson is the key for me, and I could copy and paste this every week as this team will go as he goes. Richardson needs to get some momentum going early to keep his confidence high and he should be able to have a big game against Missouri. Limiting turnovers will also be a big key as the Gators don’t need to let Missouri feel like they have a chance.
Nick: The first key to victory is Anthony Richardson. With the defense playing poorly this season, Richardson will need to keep pace with most offenses. The 2nd key is the defense limiting the run game. It’s not realistic for this Gators defense to completely stop the run, but if they can limit the Tigers and make stops when they need to, the Gators will be just fine.
Gentry: Anthony Richardson and the offense must continue to play efficiently and with rhythm this weekend with the running backs getting back to their game. The defense needs to make the same sort of switch the offense has made since the Tennessee game. I’ve been waiting to see this defensive line blow up and so far, we’ve only got glimpses of the potential. The secondary also has been very ugly and not lived up to its standard, and as a group they need to figure it out very quickly.
Gives us your prediction on how this game will turn out.
AS: I see Florida winning this game 31-17 as I believe the Gators are the better team and I’m not sure where Missouri’s mindset is at after two heartbreaking losses the last weeks.
Nick: I have Florida winning 34-21. I think the Gators offense does a nice job of keeping Missouri off the field and keeping Brady Cook on his heels. I think Missouri does find success running the football but it’s just not going to be enough for the Tigers.
Gentry: I think the Gators win this game 31-24, but I don’t think they win it easily. This game could go one of three ways and I think it’s going to be a nailbiter that goes down to the wire. Things could turn out differently though, if the offense takes a step back, or even if the defense takes a step forward.