The Florida Gators certainly aren’t the 2019 LSU Tigers.
They might not even be the 2019 version of the Florida Gators.
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The number eight team in the country traveled to Columbia, Missouri, and ran into an absolute buzzsaw, as the Tigers took the Gators behind the woodshed in a 45-17 victory on Saturday.
FLORIDA GATORS FACE MISSOURI TIGERS IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL MATCHUP WHERE THE OVER LOOKS LIKE THE PLAY
Chris Graves Jr. #1 of the Missouri Tigers celebrates after breaking up a pass intended for Lacota Dippre #17 of the Florida Gators during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 3, 2026, in Columbia, Mo. (Getty Images)
It seemed like anything that could go right for Mizzou did.
The Tigers were able to establish their dominance on both lines of scrimmage, putting up 560 total yards and holding Florida to a shockingly low 42 yards on the ground.
Jadan Baugh, who came into the game leading the SEC in rushing yards, could hardly get it going this afternoon, only rushing for 13 yards on 12 carries.
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Jadan Baugh of the Florida Gators runs the ball during the first half against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo., on Oct. 3, 2026. (Getty Images)
That was by design, as head coach Eli Drinkwitz revealed in his post game presser on the field.
While Baugh entered the day with Heisman aspirations, it was Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons who put on an award-winning performance.
The former Ole Miss starter was about as perfect as anyone could have asked for, eviscerating Florida’s secondary to the tune of 340 yards and two scores through the air.
Missouri showed a ton of resolve, regrouping from their loss last week to Mississippi State and winning a home game against a ranked opponent for the first time since 2024.
For the Gators, Faurot Field has proved to be a house of horrors, and Saturday afternoon was no different.
The game was never close after halftime, and at no point did the usually explosive Florida offense look threatening to the home team.
Now, first year head coach Jon Sumrall will have to regroup and answer some tough questions.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Gators either.
Donovan Olugbode of the Missouri Tigers catches a pass against Ben Hanks III of the Florida Gators during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 3, 2026, in Columbia, Mo. (Getty Images)
South Carolina comes to town, then Florida goes to Austin to take on Texas before a bye week.
Then the Gators will take on archrival Georgia in Atlanta.
That stretch will tell everyone in Gainesville what this team and their new head coach is all about.
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Florida didn’t handle being a top-ten team very well, and now they’ll have to do a bit of climbing to get back to that spot.
For the time being, however, this one will sting.
