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Florida Football: Five Keys To A Gator Victory Over Missouri

By Jeremy Rogers

Oct 10, 2015; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Drew Lock (3) is sacked by Florida Gators defensive lineman Cece Jefferson (96) during the second half at Faurot Field. Florida won 21-3. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Drew Lock (3) is sacked by Florida Gators defensive lineman Cece Jefferson (96) during the second half at Faurot Field. Florida won 21-3. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 17, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators running back Mark Thompson (24) carries the ball to score a touchdown during the second half against the North Texas Mean Green at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the North Texas Mean Green 32-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators running back Mark Thompson (24) carries the ball to score a touchdown during the second half against the North Texas Mean Green at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the North Texas Mean Green 32-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

1. The Gators need to score first. 

This seems obvious, but the Gators are a much better team when they have the lead and are in control of the game. They struggle when they’re down as you witnessed in the Tennessee game.

So, obviously, the best way for the Gators to take control of the game is to score first, which will fire up the team and the home crowd. Florida has scored first in all five of their games this season but are 4-1 in those games – the lone loss coming against Tennessee.

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It will be important for the offense to set the tone early and put some points up on the board against Mizzou.

Hopefully, the offense will look better with the return of quarterback Luke Del Rio. This will be Del Rio’s first start since injuring his leg after taking a low hit by a North Texas player. Prior to his injury, Del Rio led the Gators to a 3-0 start, while throwing for 762 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions.

I expect him to be a little rusty in the early going, but if he can march the Gators down the field and into the end zone to start the game, that immediately puts the pressure on Missouri.

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