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Missouri Football: Tigers finish season with best record in three years

By Eric Quackenbush

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - NOVEMBER 24: Head Coach Barry Odom of the Missouri Tigers on the sidelines during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on November 24, 2017 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - NOVEMBER 24: Head Coach Barry Odom of the Missouri Tigers on the sidelines during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on November 24, 2017 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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After an exciting win on the road at Arkansas, the Missouri Tigers finished the season 7-5 – their best finish since 2014 (11-3).

During the first quarter of the Tigers win on Friday, Mizzou’s play calling and execution on offense seemed to have regressed, as Arkansas outscored the Tigers, 21-7.

In the second half, the tables turned, as the Tigers outperformed the Razorbacks and went into the half with a 31-28 lead.

In the third quarter, the Tigers went scoreless, while the Razorbacks managed a touchdown. The fourth quarter was most exciting, as both offenses combined for 27 points – a field goal at the end of the game pushed Mizzou to its sixth consecutive win.

Missouri Tigers Football
Missouri Tigers Football /

Missouri Tigers Football

Now that the regular season has ended, the Tigers have some time to rest, practice, and prepare for their upcoming bowl game, which will be announced Dec. 3.

To date, representatives from the Liberty Bowl and TaxSlayer Bowl have been the most active in discussions with Missouri. To see how far the Tigers have come, following a dire 1-5 start to their season, you’d think Mizzou has played well all season.

Last year, the Tigers finished the season strong with a huge comeback win over Arkansas, and seemed set to become more competitive this year, as the team returned 10 starters on offense and five on defense.

After a 72-43 blowout win over Missouri State, followed by five straight losses, fans were understandably calling for Athletic Director Jim Sterk to pull the plug on head coach Barry Odom. But Odom remained, and never lost the locker room.

Next: Tigers have bowl options

Now, Odom will remain in Columbia to coach a third season, and has an opportunity to bring Missouri its first bowl win, since 2014.

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