COLUMBIA, Mo. — Much was made (much of it not good) of a video posted on social media showing the Florida Gators post-game locker room, with players jumping, dancing and enjoying their 70-52 victory (yes, a comeback victory) last weekend over FCS-classified Samford.
Externally, for a frustrated UF fan base that watched their team fall back by two touchdowns in the second half against a severely out-manned foe, the celebration seemed a little much. A chunk of Gator Nation thought it over the top, given the opponent had scored more points than any FCS team had ever hung on a Power-5 program. Bad optics, they said. Fine. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
But fans' reality is not players' reality (which is why they're fans and not players).
The fact is the Gators had not won a game in 35 days and Coach Dan Mullen wanted his team to enjoy the moment. That fact the fans couldn't (or didn't want to) was irrelevant. Players only get so many opportunities to do their thing on the field. After consecutive losses to LSU, Georgia and South Carolina — with the pressure and so-called "noise in the system" mounting with each setback — the Florida players needed a moment to themselves. A moment to unleash an element of happiness, if not relief.
And now they get a chance to do it again. With the way the 2021 season has unfolded, that's all they can ask for.
[Read senior writer Scott Carter's comprehensive "Opening Kickoff" preview here]
The clouds of speculation and uncertainty will continue to hover as the Gators (5-5, 2-5) play out their Southeastern Conference schedule Saturday with a road trip to Missouri (5-5, 2-4) and late-afternoon date at Memorial Stadium. It'll be the first of two more chances for UF's players to find reason to dance, what with the regular-season finale against Florida State set for next week at Gainesville. A win in one of the two final games will lock up a shot at a bowl game — and yet another opportunity to dance.
Right now, that's what the Gators are playing for.
The Florida offense (492.4 yards per game) currently sits ninth in the country, with its rushing game (once tops nationally) having fallen off as galloping backup quarterback Anthony Richardson's reps have decreased. The Gators are still No. 9 at 227.7 yards per game and ought to be able to generate some action on the ground against a Mizzo defense not only ranked 118th overall, but 129th against the run in allowing a whopping 248.9 yards per.
On the other side, the Tigers boast one of the SEC's biggest stars this season in tailback Tyler Badie, who has rushed 200 times for 1,239 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Missouri offense, engineered by quarterback Connor Bazelak (2,318 passing yards, 15 TD, 10 INT), is putting up 433.3 yards per game. The UF defense, in its first game under interim coordinator Christian Robinson following the firing of Todd Grantham, had a rough go of it against Samford and currently checks in at No. 59 among FBS teams (371.2 yards surrendered per). Over the last four games, however, the defense has yielded, in order, 454 yards and 49 points (at LSU), 354 yards and 34 points (No. 1 Georgia in Jacksonville), 459 yards and 40 points (South Carolina) and 454 yards and 52 points (Samford), respectively.
That's an average of 468.3 yards and 43.8 points.
Those numbers, almost certainly, will need to be reduced if the Gators want to dance again Saturday night. Or down the line.
Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. on SEC Network, with Dave Neal on play-by-play, Deuce McAllister providing analysis and Andraya Carter reporting from the sidelines. For radio and television broadcast info, click here. The game will be replayed Sunday at 4 a.m. and again Friday at 2 a.m., both on SEC Network.
Also, check out the "1st & 10 Pre-Game Show," hosted by Jeff Cardozo via the Florida Gators Facebook page, starting at 3 p.m. This week's lineup includes chats with Coach Dan Mullen, offensive lineman Richard Gouraige and wide receiver Ja'Markus Westin, plus a "Mic'd Up" segment with tailback Malik Davis.
Finally, follow senior staff writer Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) for commentary and analysis throughout the game. FloridaGators.com will have complete coverage content from the game late Saturday night and follow-up content Sunday, also.
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November 21, 2021 at 12:05AM
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Game Day: Florida at Missouri (SEC Network, 4 pm) - Florida Gators
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