Missouri returns home for Homecoming on Saturday when the Tigers host No. 8 Florida at Faurot Field. Mizzou is 3-1 overall and 0-1 in SEC play after last week’s 31-24 loss at Mississippi State, while Florida is 4-0 and 2-0 after knocking off then-No. 4 Ole Miss 52-28. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. Central on ABC.
The Tigers will have to deal with a Florida offense that has been one of the SEC’s most productive units early in the season. Quarterback Aaron Philo has thrown for 917 yards, while running back Jadan Baugh has 600 rushing yards and wide receiver Vernell Brown III leads the Gators with 271 receiving yards. Florida’s confidence is high after its 52-point performance against Ole Miss, but Missouri has already shown it can play with ranked competition this season, including a 38-21 win at Kansas.
For Missouri, the focus will be on correcting the issues that showed up in the Mississippi State loss, particularly a slow start, offensive penalties and missed opportunities. The Tigers also could be without defensive ends Darris Smith and Langden Kitchen, who are both listed as questionable with lower-body injuries. Missouri has won three of the last four meetings with Florida, including a 33-31 victory in 2023, and Saturday’s matchup gives the Tigers a chance to respond at home against one of the SEC’s hottest teams.
