Missouri at Florida Betting Pick & Prediction

Posted by Jordan Walters on Wednesday,October 12, 2016 9:07, EDT in

The University of Florida could find itself in sole possession of first place in the SEC East Division by Saturday evening if the No. 18 Gators can beat Missouri and current division leader Tennessee loses at home to top-ranked Alabama. Both are likely to happen and UF is a solid favorite in college football betting.

Here’s a Look at the Missouri at Florida Betting Pick, Prediction & TV Info

When: Saturday, Oct. 15, 4 PM ET
Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville
TV: SEC Network
Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: Missouri / Florida
Opening NCAA Football Lines: Florida -13.5 (49.5)

Why Bet on Missouri?

The Tigers were off last week. They last played Oct. 1 at LSU and were routed 42-7. LSU limited Mizzou’s dynamic passing attack to just 188 yards. All six of LSU’s touchdowns came on the ground. Mizzou’s only touchdown of the night was a 21-yard trick play pass from Eric Laurent to QB Drew Lock with 6:11 remaining. Mizzou’s defense surrendered its first touchdown in 15 drives when LSU jumped in front 7-0 in the opening quarter. Mizzou’s offense ran 294 consecutive plays without giving up a sack until surrendering one just before halftime vs. LSU.

Mizzou is 3-2 following a bye week since joining the SEC for the 2012 season. However, Mizzou has lost its last two games following a bye week — last season a 31-13 loss at home to Mississippi State and in 2014 to Georgia at home in a 34-0 defeat.

The bye week did wonders for Mizzou’s health. Junior cornerback Logan Cheadle, who has been sidelined since suffering a sprained left ankle against Georgia, continues to mend. Sophomore linebacker Terez Hall (sprained ankle) has practiced with no limitations, and Donavin Newsom (concussion protocol) also has been cleared to return to action.

“We should be as close to full speed as we have been,” Coach Barry Odom said. Mizzou leads the all-time series against Florida, 3-2, including a 1-1 mark in Gainesville. The last meeting between the two teams in Gainesville in 2014 may be the most memorable game in the series for Mizzou fans. The Tigers claimed a 42-13 win over the Gators despite gaining just 119 yards on 49 plays (2.4 yards per play). Mizzou used a pair of kick return TDs (one kickoff, one punt) and also returned an interception and fumble for TDs, opening a 42-0 lead midway through the third quarter. The Tigers had just seven first downs.

Why Bet on Florida?

The Gators were supposed to host LSU last week but that game was postponed by Hurricane Matthew and might not be made up even though it could be crucial for which schools play in the SEC Championship Game, especially for the Gators. While Florida was idle Saturday front-running Tennessee’s loss at Texas A&M put the Gators very much back in the East Division picture.

There are only two viable options that would allow the game to be played in Gainesville and LSU to not lose a home game. And all that would need to happen would be LSU moving its home game with South Alabama on Nov. 19 and rotating two Sun Belt conference games. The Gators would also have to pay a $500,000 buyout to Presbyterian, UF’s scheduled opponent on Nov. 19. If LSU-Florida isn’t played on Nov. 19, the only other possible dates appear to be Oct. 29 or Dec. 3 — but those are very unlikely.

UF will get back starting QB Luke Del Rio this week. Del Rio injured his knee Sept. 17 on a low hit against North Texas. He missed road games against Tennessee and Vanderbilt. The Gators (4-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) went 1-1 without him and managed just 338 yards and 20 points in their last six quarters.

Starting offensive tackle David Sharpe, who was questionable for the LSU game with an injured shoulder, is expected to play in Saturday’s game. Coach Jim McElwain added that linebacker Daniel McMillian (shoulder) is questionable and defensive linemen Joey Ivie (thumb) and Jordan Sherit (knee) are out. With five sacks through five games, the Gators will continue to lean on redshirt freshman Jabari Zuniga who leads all FBS freshmen and is tied for 12th among all FBS players in that category this season.

My Betting Pick

As long as this stays under two touchdowns, give the points on NCAA football lines and go under the total.