CBS Sports' predictions, picks for Florida vs Missouri in Week 5

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

This weekend's college football slate includes a top-25 matchup between the eighth-ranked Florida Gators and 25th-ranked Missouri Tigers in Columbia — a place where the Orange and Blue has seen limited success over the years. The program is off to its best start since 2019, but there is potential for an upset on Saturday.

Ahead of the SEC showdown inside Memorial Stadium, CBS Sports writers Brad Crawford and Chris Hummer offer their predictions and picks for one of Week 5's best offerings. Both agree that Jon Sumrall and Co. will prevail, but they also concur that it will be a close one, taking the under on the 4.5-point spread.

"Here's the Week 5 line that provided immediate pause when putting this week's card together — something ain't right here," Crawford begins. "Florida just rushed for 302 yards against Ole Miss and looks the part under first-year coach Jon Sumrall, while the Tigers are licking their road-woe wounds following a loss at Mississippi State. Winning away from home in the SEC is hard, and the Gators are going to get all they can handle according to oddsmakers."

Crawford picks Florida to emerge triumphant from the gridiron grind, 31-27. Hummer, on the other hand, sees this finishing by a razor-thin margin.

"This is probably the toughest test for Florida's offense so far this year," he notes. "The Tigers rank 19th nationally in yards allowed per carry and can at least limit Jadan Baugh. They also have a pass rush that can speed up Aaron Philo in obvious pass situations. Missouri does really miss Ahmad Hardy, ranking just 89th nationally in rushing yards per carry. But Austin Simmons has been excellent since transferring in from Ole Miss. Florida is a justified road favorite. But I think Missouri keeps this close enough to cover at home."

Hummer predicts a narrow one-point victory, with a final score of 35-34 .

The battle between Florida and Missouri is set to kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Faurot Field and will be broadcast on ABC.

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: CBS Sports' predictions, picks for Florida vs Missouri in Week 5

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos