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Florida's SEC Championship Game dream was derailed last Saturday, when the Gators failed to clinch the SEC East by fumbling away a game against Georgia in Jacksonville. Now, Missouri, which has one SEC win this year, over Kentucky at home, comes to The Swamp, and Florida gets a chance to flex.
Florida has more talent than Missouri. Florida is healthier than Missouri, which will have a banged-up James Franklin taking snaps and throwing passes. Florida is playing before a home crowd that will be loud, if diminished. Florida just doesn't lose to the dregs of the SEC, a category that Mizzou's in for this first year in the conference at least.
I understand the enthusiasm gap. I understand the chances of a letdown, even if I don't think the Gators are particularly susceptible to them. But these Gators are better than these Tigers on all but a few Saturdays if this game is played 100 times, and much better on most of them.
It is time for Florida to flex.