Missouri
11th SEC5-7
Central Florida
3rd Conference USA9-4
Missouri @ Central Florida preview
Bright House Networks Stadium
Missouri gets a reprieve from its cold welcome to the Southeastern Conference – a pair of 21-point losses to East Division foes Georgia and South Carolina – by facing Central Florida at Bright House Networks Stadium on Saturday. But the Tigers are still underdogs. The favored Knights, looking to improve their 2-13 record against the conference, will host an SEC opponent for the first time in front of a likely sellout crowd of 45,000-plus. Coming off a bye, UCF enjoyed extra prep time for its final non-conference game, one of the highest-profile games it has hosted. The Tigers, led by battered quarterback James Franklin, need to rebound before resuming their inaugural SEC schedule with three homes games in October.
TV: 12 p.m. ET, FSN. LINE: Central Florida -2.5.
ABOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA (2-1): In its first three games – against Akron, Ohio State and Florida International – UCF held each opponent below its season scoring and total yardage averages. In last week’s 31-10 loss at No. 6 South Carolina, Missouri scored 25 fewer points and gained nearly 100 yards less than its season averages. The Knights will look to stifle Missouri’s balanced offense and contain the dual-threat Franklin, who admitted Monday he played tentatively against the Gamecocks.
ABOUT MISSOURI (2-2): After missing the Tigers’ 24-20 win against Arizona State two weeks ago because of an injured shoulder which was surgically repaired last spring, Franklin was ineffective in his return Saturday, throwing for just 92 yards and running for six in the South Carolina loss. On Monday, coach Gary Pinkel confirmed that Franklin would remain the starter. Backup Corbin Berkstresser was 21 for 41 for 198 yards with a touchdown and an interception filling in for Franklin against Arizona State.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Missouri starting linebacker Zavier Gooden is out with a hamstring injury. He missed the Arizona State game and left in the first half against South Carolina.
2. UCF is on school-record pace, averaging three touchdown passes per game. Starter Blake Bortles has thrown seven of them. Meanwhile, Missouri’s secondary struggled last Saturday, allowing South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw to go 20 for 21, including 20 consecutive completions.
3. Missouri has won four straight – and six of its last seven – after a loss.
PREDICTION: Missouri 24, Central Florida 21
TV: 12 p.m. ET, FSN. LINE: Central Florida -2.5.
ABOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA (2-1): In its first three games – against Akron, Ohio State and Florida International – UCF held each opponent below its season scoring and total yardage averages. In last week’s 31-10 loss at No. 6 South Carolina, Missouri scored 25 fewer points and gained nearly 100 yards less than its season averages. The Knights will look to stifle Missouri’s balanced offense and contain the dual-threat Franklin, who admitted Monday he played tentatively against the Gamecocks.
ABOUT MISSOURI (2-2): After missing the Tigers’ 24-20 win against Arizona State two weeks ago because of an injured shoulder which was surgically repaired last spring, Franklin was ineffective in his return Saturday, throwing for just 92 yards and running for six in the South Carolina loss. On Monday, coach Gary Pinkel confirmed that Franklin would remain the starter. Backup Corbin Berkstresser was 21 for 41 for 198 yards with a touchdown and an interception filling in for Franklin against Arizona State.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Missouri starting linebacker Zavier Gooden is out with a hamstring injury. He missed the Arizona State game and left in the first half against South Carolina.
2. UCF is on school-record pace, averaging three touchdown passes per game. Starter Blake Bortles has thrown seven of them. Meanwhile, Missouri’s secondary struggled last Saturday, allowing South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw to go 20 for 21, including 20 consecutive completions.
3. Missouri has won four straight – and six of its last seven – after a loss.
PREDICTION: Missouri 24, Central Florida 21