GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators have looked like anything but championship material up to this point.
Poor quarterback play, turnovers and defensive breakdowns have left the Gators’ season hanging in the balance, but a favorable schedule could cure Florida’s ills, save Coach Will Muschamp’s job and deliver the school’s first SEC East title since 2009.
Tonight’s visit from Missouri begins a four-game, five-week stretch of games against exceedingly vulnerable SEC East Division competition.
“They’re all beatable teams,” Gators tailback Matt Jones said. “We’ve got it right in our hands. It’s just like taking candy from a baby. We’ve got to go get it.”
Jones went on to praise the strength of other SEC teams. A four-game sweep would be sweet indeed for the much-maligned Muschamp.
“He told us we have four games to get us to the SEC championship,” center Max Garcia said of Muschamp. “Four very winnable games if we go out there and do what we’re supposed to do and what we’re capable of doing. He just put that in perspective for us.”
Four consecutive victories is a lot to expect from a team that is 3-9 during its past 12 games. But the 2014 Gators (3-2, 2-2 SEC) have proven themselves capable of winning or losing every week.
Florida was tied 21-21 at Alabama early in the second half until one too many turnovers and failed third-down conversions allowed the Crimson Tide to wear down the Gators’ defense during a 42-21 victory. During last Saturday’s 30-27 gut punch from LSU, the Gators tied the game at 27-27 with a field goal after facing first and goal from the 2.
A minute later, quarterback Jeff Driskel’s interception with 30 seconds remaining set up LSU’s game-winning 50-yard field goal.
Garcia said the team didn’t even watch film of the loss, choosing instead to focus on Missouri. The LSU game, though, made it clear change was needed going forward.
The biggest will be at quarterback.
Driskel will make his 21st career start today but will share duties with freshman Treon Harris. Harris rallied Florida late to a 10-9 victory at Tennessee after coaches benched Driskel during a three interception day.
Harris was unavailable against LSU after being reinstated a day earlier when Oct. 6 allegations of sexual battery were dropped by his accuser.
Now, Muschamp and offensive coordinator Kurt Roper hope a two-quarterback platoon can elevate a beleaguered offense that has scored seven touchdowns in four SEC games.
“Hopefully, we do get a hot hand and do well the whole game,” Roper said
The Tigers (4-2, 1-1) are looking for a spark themselves after a 34-0 home loss to Georgia — Mizzou’s first shutout loss since 2002.
Quarterback Maty Mauk completed 9 of 21 passes for 97 yards with 4 interceptions, leading some to call for his benching. As a freshman backup in 2013, Mauk stepped in and helped Missouri pile up 500 yards on Florida’s defense last season on the way to the SEC East title.
“I don’t think that’s ever happened in his life, but he’s got my support and the team’s support,” Missouri Coach Gary Pinkel said. “He’s our guy.”
Mizzou’s passing game ranks last among 14 teams in SEC games. The Tigers average 114.5 yards compared with an average of 161.8 yards for the Gators, who rank 12th in league play.
But the Gators are not taking Mauk lightly. Florida defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin marveled how the right-handed Mauk threw a pass 70 yards while running to his left against Georgia.
“That will open your eyes,” Durkin said.
Repeated breakdowns in the Gators’ secondary have had Durkin and Muschamp’s attention all season. The most devastating to date was 41-yard completion on third and 25 during the final minutes by LSU when Brian Poole missed a defensive signal.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Poole said this week. “I want to talk about Missouri.”
With their goal to win the SEC East still in front of them, the Gators want to look only ahead. But with no margin for error, one more loss will leave Florida with nowhere to turn.
“If we go out there and approach it one game at a time,” Garcia said, “we’ll be where we want to be.”