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Missouri vs. Florida final score 2012: Gators out-ugly new SEC rivals

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Sam Greenwood

Florida picked off James Franklin four times to overcome yet another sleepy start, holding serve and hoping Ole Miss can knock Georgia out of the SEC East lead.

It wasn't pretty, but it was Florida football, so it wasn't supposed to be. The Gators made a 14-7 victory over Missouri look as excruciating as possible, needing four picks of James Franklin to put away their brand new SEC East rivals and remain a thorn in Georgia's side. Florida now finishes SEC play at 7-1, meaning it needs an Ole Miss or Auburn victory against the Dawgs to reach Atlanta.

And on that note, Will Muschamp becomes the biggest Rebels fan in the world -- here he is with a big "Hotty Toddy" after the game:

Box score hero: Mike Gillislee put up 107 total yards and a touchdown, but Florida games never really feature box score heroes from the offensive side. Let's go with Matt Elam, who picked off Franklin and ran it back 40 yards, posted six tackles, rang up two tackles for loss and had a critical hit on Franklin late.

Rankings ramifications: With No. 6 LSU and No. 7 Georgia in danger, Florida could conceivably rise past No. 8. But not very far.

But did they cover? Florida was favored by 18. No, they did not.

Next week: Florida sticks in the Swamp to take on 4-3 UL Lafayette, while Mizzou heads to play Tennessee, which ... well, it might have a different head coach at that point. The 3-5 Vols are struggling with Troy right now.

For more on Gators football, visit Florida blog Alligator Army, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills and SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more on Mizzou football, visit Missouri blog Rock M Nation, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills, SB Nation Kansas City and SB Nation St. Louis.

Check the national college football scoreboard right here, and look through SB Nation's many excellent college football blogs to find your team's community.

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