The Missouri Tigers are suddenly on a three-game win streak. The Tigers defeated the Florida Gators 45-16 on Saturday afternoon in Columbia, pushing their record up to 4-5. After a miserable start to the year, Mizzou suddenly looks to be in position to get to a bowl game after all.

The game wasn’t ever particularly close. Mizzou jumped out to a 7-0 lead after the first quarter and pushed the lead up to 14-0 in the early part of the second quarter. After a field goal was kicked through the uprights by the Gators, the Tigers responded with two more touchdowns. The lead sprung up to 42-9 in the 4th quarter before the Gators finally found the end zone.

UF has now lost their last four games, and at 3-5, their chances of playing postseason ball are shrinking by the moment.

What We Learned

Mizzou’s offense can be lethal when they’re rolling

The Tigers put up 455 total yards against the Gators on Saturday. 228 of them came through the air and 227 of them came on the ground. Talk about a balanced attack. Drew Lock was sensational, going 15-20 for 228 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Larry Rountree and Ish WItter both rushed for 83 yards each on 32 total carries. Rountree found the end zone thrice and averaged 5.5 yards per carry. It was certainly a big day for Mizzou’s offense, showing the potential that made their start so frustrating for many.

Florida is in deep, deep trouble

Okay, so, we kind of knew this, so it’s cheating a bit. But the Gators’ postseason chances are looking grim at this point They still have matchups against the South Carolina Gamecocks and UAB Blazers looming. Both, heading into Saturday, were penciled in for losses based per Bill Connelly. The game against the Florida State Seminoles doesn’t have the luster it did before Deondre Francois’ injury, but even though the game is in Gainesville, it’s hard to imagine them winning if they’re going to put up this kind of performance. It seems like forever ago that the Gators were 3-1.

Mizzou may now mess around and make a bowl

So... after starting off 1-5, will the Tigers win out? It’s not as crazy as you might think. They have games against the Tennessee Volunteers, Vanderbilt Commodores and Arkansas Razorbacks ahead of them. None of the three have looked particularly impressive this year at all, especially so on offense. The Hogs have a great run game, but Mizzou’s offense may put them on their heels if they play up to potential. Both the Vols and Commodores’ offenses have been skittish to say the least. It’s not crazy to suggest that Mizzou, after their awful start, could wind up above .500 by year’s end.