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Florida football: Ranking Florida’s 2022 Opponents

By Sean Doty

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 05: Head Coach Billy Napier of the Florida Gators speaks during a press conference introducing him to the Media at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on December 05, 2021 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 05: Head Coach Billy Napier of the Florida Gators speaks during a press conference introducing him to the Media at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on December 05, 2021 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /
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FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS – NOVEMBER 26: Connor Bazelak #8 hands off the ball Tyler Badie #1 of the Missouri Tigers during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on November 26, 2021, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Tigers 34-17. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS – NOVEMBER 26: Connor Bazelak #8 hands off the ball Tyler Badie #1 of the Missouri Tigers during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on November 26, 2021, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Tigers 34-17. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Florida football opponent rankings: Missouri Tigers (10/8)

Metric Score: 3

If there was any team in recent history that could dub itself as the biggest figurative thorn in Florida’s side, it would be the Missouri Tigers.

Since joining the SEC back in 2012, the Gators and Tigers have split the series with 5 wins a piece. Neither team has managed to win three games against the other within a four-year span.

Last year’s game in Columbia came down to the wire, with the Tigers pulling off a 24-23 victory after the Gators failed to convert a two-point conversion late in the 4th quarter. It was this defeat that essentially became the final nail in Dan Mullen’s coffin at Florida, as his termination from the head coach position was announced the following day.

The Tigers finished 6-7 last season, including losses in their final two games.

Though Missouri returns only four starters on offense, their offense should not be underestimated.

The Tigers 2022 recruiting class ranked 15th nationally and features a few highly talented offensive players that could work their way into Missouri’s offensive rotation. This includes Luther Burden III, who was rated as a five-star wide receiver and the no. 3 overall players in the 2022 recruiting cycle.

Then there is Cody Schrader, who is currently projected to be Missouri’s newest starting running back. Schrader joined the Tigers via the transfer portal this offseason after playing at Division II school Truman State University for the first four years of his collegiate career. In 2021 Schrader ran for 2,074 yards and 25 touchdowns, all the while averaging nearly 7 yards per carry.

For many of the players that were on Florida’s roster last year, this game presents itself as an opportunity for redemption after suffering a narrow defeat to this team less than 11 months prior.

Depending on how the month of September goes for the Gators, this game could also present itself as another momentum booster for this new coaching staff, as there is a realistic possibility that they could be staring at a potential 6-0 start before beginning a brutal three-game SEC gauntlet.

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