I have to admit it. Coming off that big game with all that atmosphere in Jacksonville last Saturday, I’m a little flat. That’s probably to be expected. So, will the Gators be flat as well come Saturday?

We’ll know early in the game against Missouri.

As for me being flat, yes, I am. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have some strong feelings about this game and how it might play out. I do. And I’m going to share.

My strongest feeling is that this is going to be a really, really tough game for the Gators. They’re coming off the disappointing loss that eliminated them from the SEC East race, and the Tigers are a lot better, a lot more dangerous, than their 0-4 SEC record indicates. If Drew Lock and this offense get hot, they’re difficult to stop, something we saw in last year’s rout at Missouri. At some point Saturday, the Mizzou offense is going to start rolling against a UF defense that has been susceptible to giving up big plays in recent week.

On the other side of the ball, I see quarterback Feleipe Franks struggling early and then some in the crowd turning on him. He’s going to miss some wide-open guys and maybe have another turnover or two. Then, if he starts pressing, that long leash Dan Mullen has given him is going to turn into a very short choker chain. This may be the game we see what Kyle Trask has to offer.

What I’m feeling is this is going to be a very close game that comes down to the team that makes the critical plays in the fourth quarter.

It’s going to be a struggle, but the feeling is the Gators will make one or two more plays than Missouri and find a way to escape with a win.

Prediction: Florida 21, Missouri 20.