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Mizzou Football: Three toughest games on 2019 schedule

By Cullen Jekel

COLUMBIA, MO - SEPTEMBER 22: Exterior entrance of Memorial Stadium after the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Missouri Tigers on Saturday September 22, 2018 at Faurot Field in Columbia, MO. (Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MO - SEPTEMBER 22: Exterior entrance of Memorial Stadium after the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Missouri Tigers on Saturday September 22, 2018 at Faurot Field in Columbia, MO. (Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Trevon Grimes #8 of the Florida Gators attempts to make a reception against DeMarkus Acy #2 of the Missouri Tigers (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Trevon Grimes #8 of the Florida Gators attempts to make a reception against DeMarkus Acy #2 of the Missouri Tigers (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

Toughest Game No. 2

Week 12 vs Florida Gators

Throw out the window that Missouri has smacked Florida in the mouth the past two seasons. This is Dan Mullen’s second year in Gainesville, and he’s unlocking this team’s potential seemingly on a week-by-week basis. Sure, their Week Zero win against Miami (Fl.) was ugly, and sure, quarterback Feleipe Franks played much more like he did earlier in his career, but the Gators are not a team to be taken lightly.

Especially this late in the season.

Especially after the Tigers just squared off against the Georgia Bulldogs.

Both the Tigers and the Gators will be in the hunt for the SEC East crown in 2019. If Georgia slips up somewhere along the lines, whoever wins this Week 12 matchup could be next up for capturing the East.

It will be interesting to see how Franks moves on from his woeful Week Zero performance. It will also be interesting to see how Kelly Bryant is playing for the Tigers at this point in the season. One thing seems certain: this will be a closer game that the recent contests between these two programs.

Tiger to Shine: DeMarkus Acy, Safety

Acy enters his senior season as one of the unquestioned leaders of the Tigers defense. As he goes, so the defense goes. Against the Gators, Acy will need to step up before home crowd and make a couple of big plays to enable the Tigers offense to get back on the field. And he can do it: he picked off three passes last season, including two against the Tennessee Volunteers.

He’ll add another timely pick here against Franks.

Gator to Fear: Lamical Perine, Running Back

As a junior in 2018, Perine rushed for over 800 yards while grabbing 13 passes for 170. In all, he scored eight touchdowns, seven on the ground and one through the air. In the Gators’ opening matchup against the Hurricanes, he showed that he’s made stride in the receiving game, grabbing six passes, and scoring a receiving touchdown.

Overall, in Week Zero, he led the Gators in rushing attempts (10), rushing yards (42), receptions, and tied for the team lead in touchdowns. He’s truly morphing into a two-dimensional running back. For the Gators to beat the Tigers in Week 12, Perine will have to continue evolving his game. He could make life hell for the Missouri defense, both in the rushing and receiving games.

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