Florida Gators run into Missouri buzzsaw, Tigers destroy top 10 team for rare ranked win at home

The Florida Gators are definitely not the 2019 LSU Tigers.

This may not even be the 2019 version of the Florida Gators.

The nation’s No. 8 team traveled to Columbia, Mo., and faced a real buzzsaw, as the Tigers took the Gators to the woodshed in a 45-17 victory Saturday.

FLORIDA GATORS FACE MISSOURI TIGERS IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAME WHERE THE END LOOKS LIKE THE GAME

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 October 3, 2026, in Columbia, Missouri. (Getty Images)

It seemed like everything that could go right for Mizzou was happening.

The Tigers were able to establish their dominance on both lines of scrimmage, putting up a total of 560 yards and holding Florida to an incredibly low 42 yards rushing.

Jadan Baugh, who entered the game leading the SEC in rushing yards, struggled to get going this afternoon, rushing for just 13 yards on 12 carries.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE

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, Missouri on October 3, 2026. (Getty Images)

That was intentional, as head coach Eli Drinkwitz revealed in his postgame speech on the field.

While Baugh entered the day with Heisman aspirations, it was Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons who turned in a championship-winning performance.

The former Ole Miss starter was about as perfect as anyone could have asked for, eviscerating the Florida secondary for 340 yards and two scores through the air.

Missouri showed a ton of determination, regrouping after last week’s loss to Mississippi State and winning a home game against a ranked opponent for the first time since 2024.

For the Gators, Faurot Field 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 Florida’s usually explosive offense appear 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 October 3, 2026, in Columbia, Missouri. (Getty Images)

South Carolina comes to town, then Florida travels to Austin to take on Texas before a bye week.

Next, the Gators will face rival Georgia in Atlanta.

This sequence will tell everyone in Gainesville what this team and its new head coach stand for.

OUTKICK IS NOW AVAILABLE ON THE FOX NEWS APP: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Florida hasn’t handled its top 10 ranking very well, and now it’s going to have to climb a bit to get back to that spot.

But for now, this one will sting.