Missouri Tigers Football Preview: Schedule Breakdown
By Ben Brown
BY BEN BROWN with Derek Franks
The Missouri Tigers have an interesting tilt in 2014. With season number three of the SEC getting set to kick-off, we only find it fitting that we look at each one of these opponents and get a glimpse of what it will be like to face them. Missouri definitely catches a break with its non-conference.
Gary Pinkel has a defense in place that will help the Tigers contend for the SEC east again. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
But that doesn’t necessarily mean we mustn’t take them seriously. Then, the SEC teams? Well, you know we have to take them seriously. Here’s a game by game analysis of each team on the scheduling block. Let’s crank ’em out:
Week One vs. South Dakota State Jackrabbits
* Opposing Players to watch:
o Zach Zenner
* Workhorse running back with back-to-back 2000 yard rushing seasons.
o Je Ryan Butler
* Punt returner as well as cornerback. Had 4 interceptions in 2013 and is a key playmaker for the Jackrabbits.
* Prediction: Mizzou 47- South Dakota State 17
o The jackrabbits may be a very formidable FCS team, but they wont be able to match up against an SEC powerhouse like Mizzou. Mismatch of talent, that’s all there is to it.
Week Two vs. Toledo Rockets
* Opposing players to watch:
o Alonzo Russell
* Star Wide Receiver who was a All-MAC 3rd teamer in 2013 and looks to improve on that this year. Last year against the tigers he caught 7 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown.
o Junior Sylvestre
* First Team All-MAC in 2013 and is the undisputed star and leader of the defense at middle linebacker. He had 13 tackles last year against the tigers.
* Prediction: Mizzou 41 – Toledo 20
o Coach Gary Pinkel will want this game pretty badly going back to his old stomping grounds in Toledo. I have a feeling he shows them there was a reason why he left. The rockets will fight, but to no avail. Tigers roll.
Derek’s words of wisdom: Toledo likes to throw the ball around. A lot. This will be the first test for the young secondary of Mizzou. They’ll still need to grow up fast. This is a good preparation game for them for the more challenging league play.
Touchdowns from Marcus Murphy should be a frequent occurrence in 2014, regardless of the position he plays. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Week Three vs. Central Florida Knights
* Opposing players to watch
o Rannell Hall
* #1 receiver set to lead a depleted knights offense after losing Blake Bortles and Storm Johnson to the NFL. Hall finished the 2013 season with 57 catches for 886 yards and 5 touchdowns.
o Terrance Plummer
* Middle linebacker is the star of the team. AAC 1st team selection and Fiesta Bowl MVP. 110 tackles in 2013 and has impressive instincts and playmaking skills. Probably will be playing on Sundays next year.
* Prediction: Mizzou 21- UCF 13
o No Blake Bortles, no win. Actually, even with Bortles they probably wouldn’t win. UCF has 9 returning starters on defense, but Coach O’Leary and his knights will need to pull out all the stops to be able to get past the tigers. I don’t think they can do it.
Week Four vs. Indiana Hoosiers
* Opposing player to watch
o Nate Sudfeld
* After a battle to win the starting job in the spring, Sudfeld won with his competition Tre Roberson transferring. His best weapon is his accuracy.
* Prediction: Mizzou 51 – Indiana 7
o I’m predicting a big blowout in this one. I’ve been searching for bright spots on this Indiana team, but after Cody Latimer leaving this past year for the NFL, I think it might be a rough season for the Hoosier football team.
Week Five vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina quarterback Dylan Thompson. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
* Opposing players to watch
o Dylan Thompson
* Long time back up to connor shaw finally gets his chance to show what he can do. He’s a fifth year senior and has made the most of his opportunities when given to him. We’ll see how he responds to getting all the first team reps.
o Skai Moore
* This sophomore came on to the scene as a true freshman and immediately started to turn some heads. He’s a bright spot on a young defense that may have a few learning curves after losing a few major stars to the NFL.
* Predicition: Mizzou 30 – South Carolina 24
o This is going to be a close one, but I have been watching the South Carolina-Texas A&M game and their defense does not look ready for much of anything, but maybe that was just Kenny Hill going crazy. In any case, Missouri gets revenge for last year.
Derek’s words of wisdom: South Carolina’s weakest spot is in the secondary– I could have told you this before we watched Kenny Hill go nuts on them. But this game will be an opportunity for Maty Mauk to really show his stuff. If the game plan stays vertical and the team throws the ball, Mizzou can indeed get revenge from their homecoming heartbreak in 2013.
Week Six vs. Georgia Bulldogs
* Opposing players to watch
o Todd Gurley
* Preseason All American. Doak Walker Award watch list. Maxwell Award watch list. These are just some of the lists he’s been put on. This junior running back may be the best running back in the FBS. He’s powerful, elusive, fast, everything you could want in a back. Probably will be a first round pick. Has
tons of talent and is usually the best player on the field – and shows it.
o Ramik Wilson
* All SEC 2nd team in 2013, Wilson led the conference in tackles and has a knack for being around the ball. Very good Middle Linebacker.
* Prediction: Georgia 28 – Mizzou 13
o Georgia is tough, there’s not doubt about it. And I think with their depth, skill and leadership, they will be tough to beat, however, if Mizzou does manage a win in this contest, it will be a heck of a long stretch down the road for the bulldogs who have 4 consecutive away games starting in Columbia.
Week Seven vs. Florida Gators
* Opposing Players to watch
o Jeff Driskel
* After fracturing his leg at the beginning of the 2013 season, Driskel is back now and looks to be ready to take control of this gator team. He has a great arm, but we’ll need to watch how mobile he is after the injury.
o Vernon Hargreaves III
* Hargreaves was an extremely highly regarded recruit coming out of high school. In 2013 as a true freshman he was named to not only the all freshman SEC team but the all-SEC first team as well. This young man has a bright future.
* Prediction: Mizzou 17 – Gators 10
o The Gators are a shell of their former selves. They aren’t in the same league as teams such as Auburn or Alabama anymore. They can’t be. After watching them lose to Georgia Southern, I’m surprised Will Muschamp still has a job. Still, this game is in the Swamp, which is always a tough place to play. I’m calling a close tiger win.
Derek’s words of wisdom: Florida’s defense is tough. The Tigers will need to change things up a bit and take advantage of everything the Gators’ weak offense gives them.
Week Eight vs. Vanderbilt Commodores
Bud Sasser will be a viable component in the TIgers’ offense this season. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
* Opposing players to watch
o Jerron Seymour
* Seymour had a breakout year for Vandy as he rushed for 716 yards and 14 TDs. He’s going to need to have a big season to be able to replace the production of all of the seniors they lost, especially star Jordan Matthews.
o Caleb Azubike
* So, this is the guy who put the yellow contacts in his eyes to make him look scarier and more intimidating. So there’s that. In addition to looking like a dinosaur in his spare time, Azubike
is actually a pretty talented pass rusher with some solid moves. His best game of 2013 came against the tigers when he racked up 7 tackles, including two for a loss.
* Prediction: Mizzou 35 – Vanderbilt 14
o Vanderbilt is the second worst team in the division. I just don’t see them beating a team like Mizzou, on either side of the ball.
Week Nine vs. Kentucky Wildcats
* Opposing players to watch
o Alvin Dupree
* In 2013 Dupree was an All-SEC 2nd team selection. Dupree is a standout not only among his teammates but in the entire SEC giving tackles fits with his size, speed, athleticism and strength. He has tons of potential and I believe he will be in the NFL next year. Very talented defensive end with a knack for the big play.
* Prediction: Mizzou 38 – Kentucky 9
o If Vanderbilt isn’t the worst team in the SEC. The title belongs to the Wildcats of Kentucky. They’ve won 4 games each of the last two seasons and I don’t see them improving that number. Especially after losing their Senior Quarterback Jalen Whitlow and the captain of their defense Avery Williamson. Tigers win.
Week Ten vs. Texas A&M
* Opposing players to watch
o Kenny Hill
* So, to anyone who didn’t just witness the massacre he just performed let me put it this way. 511 yards. He had the impossible task of following Manziel and may have done just that. He looks like a Heisman candidate after the performance he just put on.
o Ricky Seals-Jones
* Johnny football had Mike Evans and Kenny hill has Seals-Jones. This true freshman receiver has a big future. At 6-5, 225, he has the size, speed, and hands to be one of the best receivers in college football. He reminds me a bit of Dez Bryant if that gives any hint to his abilities.
o Cedric Ogbuehi
* I normally wouldn’t put an offensive lineman as a player to watch but this is no ordinary offensive lineman. Ogbuehi may be the best tackle we’ve seen come out in a decently long time. He has everything you could want in a tackle and more. He
seals the edge like a pro and I could legitimately see him taken as the first pick in the draft. Enormous talent.
* Prediction: Texas A&M 51 – Mizzou 28
o This is a track race Mizzou cant win. After watching A&M for the first time, the Aggies seemed atleast beatable on defense. The problem is on the other side of the ball. Move over Johnny football because Kenny Pigskin is coming for you in the Aggie record books. In an offensive showcase the Aggies win big.
Derek’s words of wisdom: I disagree with my colleague. I think Mizzou pulls this one off. Texas A&M looks impressive, but I still don’t think they’re that good. Aggie defense will do them in.
Week Eleven vs. Tennessee
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South Bound & Down
* Opposing Players to watch
o Justin Worley
* Got hurt before the 31-3 blowout the Vols suffered against Missouri. Worley may be the only hope the Vols have to get to a bowl game this season but I wouldn’t be too confident. This may be a rough season again for the burnt orange.
* Prediction: Mizzou 34 – Tennessee 27
o Another fallen Giant. Between the Gators and the Volunteers, the powers have shifted among the members of the SEC and unless Peyton Manning is coming out of the tunnel in some orange, the Vols will have another disappointing season. It will take awhile to rebuild this fallen dynasty.
Week twelve vs. Arkansas
* Opposing players to watch
o Alex Collins
* Yes, if you were wondering, this is the kid whose mom stole his letter of intent in an attempt to get him to stay in his home state of Florida even though he wanted to go to Arkansas. And oh man did this kid arrive. As a true freshman in 2013, he rushed for over 1,000 yards and 4 touchdowns. I only expect him to go up from here.
o Trey Flowers
* Leader of the Arkansas defense was a coaches’ pick for the All-SEC second team. He’s a good defensive end prospect and finished the 2013 season with 44 tackles and 5 sacks.
* Prediction: Mizzou 23 – Arkansas 16
o Arkansas will be better and will be probably fired up for their new ‘rivalry’ game with the tigers, but the Tigers are currently just a better overall football team. Maybe they’ll create a new trophy for this rivalry. That’ll make it more official, right?
Derek’s words of wisdom: Here’s our new “Border War.” I’d still rather have Kansas instead of Ar-Kansas.