LSU gouged Florida for 175 yards on the ground on Saturday in Baton Rouge, La.
The schedule does not get any easier for the No. 22 Gators (4-2, 3-1 Southeastern Conference) this week.
Florida will travel to Columbia, Mo., on Saturday to face No. 14 Missouri (6-0, 2-0 SEC) in Faurot Field. When the Gators get there, they will square off against the No. 16 run offense in the country.
The Tigers, coming off a 41-26 upset win on the road against then-No. 7 Georgia, feature three halfbacks who are averaging more than 5 yards per carry.
Redshirt juniors Henry Josey, Marcus Murphy and sophomore Russell Hansbrough have combined for 1,099 yards through six games.
“They got three outstanding backs that are all guys that make you pay if you miss a play in space,” coach Will Muschamp said on the SEC weekly media teleconference on Wednesday.
Added linebacker Michael Taylor: “I expect us to stop the run against them.”
That will not be an easy task, but Taylor has a plan in mind.
“Hit the person with the ball and get them on the ground,” he said. “That’s it.”
Florida’s run defense has been ailing since losing senior Dominique Easley to a torn ACL. But now the defense might be down another starter.
Redshirt junior Ronald Powell suffered an ankle injury against LSU on Saturday and had not practiced as of Wednesday.
“We’re hoping to get him on the field [Wednesday] and see how he moves around there,” Muschamp said.
Florida’s rush defense is still ranked fourth in the nation, but it has had its two worst games the last two weeks, surrendering 175 yards to LSU and 111 to Arkansas on Oct. 5.
The Tigers will likely need to rely on the ground game against the Gators. Mizzou’s starting quarterback, James Franklin, suffered a separated shoulder against Georgia last week. Redshirt freshman Maty Mauk will take the senior’s place.
“He’s the type of quarterback that fits what they do,” defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin said. “It’s a different player doing it, but I think it’s kind of they have their system and this it what they do – and he has great players around him.”
Follow Adam Lichtenstein on Twitter @alichtenstein24.
Ronald Powell (7) attempts to block a pass at the line of scrimmage during Florida’s 17-6 loss against LSU on Oct. 12 at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. Powell is questionable for Saturday’s matchup against Missouri due to an ankle injury.
