The Florida Gators have a tough second half of the season ahead of them which includes matchups against Georgia, Arkansas and Florida State. Still, the team must be careful not to overlook anyone right now beginning with this Week 7 showdown against the Missouri Tigers.
Florida is coming off a win over Vanderbilt before getting last week’s showdown against LSU postponed due to Hurricane Matthew. It has been a chaotic week but the Gators hope to emerge with a win in this one to move to 5-1. Missouri has a solid program but fell to 2-3 two weeks ago with a loss to LSU and will aim to pick it up after a much-needed bye week.
Kickoff for this regular season Week 7 game is set for Saturday, October 15, 2016, at 7 p.m. ET at Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Odds Analysis
There are no lines yet for this game, although Florida has the better record and the home field advantage, so there is no question it will be favored whenever a point spread is determined.
The Gators may have won four of five overall games but have struggled to cover the spread, going 1-4 on the year with a 1-2 record at home. Missouri has been better, covering three of five games, although it has failed to in both road games.
Injury Report
All eyes will be on Florida quarterback Luke del Rio. He has been out of the lineup since suffering a knee injury in a win over North Texas on Sept. 17. Del Rio was set to return last week against LSU until the game got postponed.
He is undefeated in three starts this season, throwing for 762 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions. Del Rio hasn’t faced a team the caliber of Missouri but has looked good this year and certainly will be welcomed back with open arms.
Key Stat
11.6. That’s the points per game allowed by Florida, which has one of the stingiest defenses in college football. The Gators have given up seven points or fewer in four of five games this season, although their toughest opponent, Tennessee, was able to score 38.
It will be interesting to see how the Gators fare against a Missouri offense which is putting up 37 points per game. Florida is only allowing 139.8 passing yards per game and will aim to shut down Tigers quarterback Drew Lock.
Lock has been good this season, throwing for 1,675 yards with 14 touchdowns and four interceptions. He was overmatched last time out against the LSU defense and hopes to play better against a Gators group which could really test him.
Free ATS Pick
Florida was awaiting last week’s showdown against LSU, but the game was postponed as much of the Gators’ home state is dealing with severe consequences from the storm. The team has tried to stay in its regular rhythm of late but it has to be tough.
Florida is right in the mix in the SEC East and a win here would help it in the standings.
Missouri has lost to LSU, Georgia and West Virginia this year. The team’s most recent win was against Delaware State on September 24th when the Tigers won 79-0. The team has gained more than 100 yards of total offense per game than Florida, but its defense isn’t as stout.
If Missouri plans to spring the upset, its offense must find a way to solve the tough Gators’ defense. This game should go Florida’s way, but don’t expect it to be easy.
Missouri is better than its record indicates and should give the Gators a scare, but in the end Del Rio will make enough plays to put this one away.
College Football Odds: Florida 23, Missouri 20
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