Missouri Football: Predicting the rest of the Tigers' 2017 season

Through the first two games, things have gone as I expected. I thought a win over Missouri State and a loss to South Carolina would happen before the season. Here’s how I see the rest of the season playing out:

Week 3: Purdue

Before the season I would have picked Mizzou to win without question. But now I am not so sure. The Boilermakers held their own with Louisville in week one, which gives me some cause for concern. But Louisville made a lot of mistakes and Lamar Jackson still racked up 378 yards through the air. I think Drew Lock has a big day. I think at home the Tigers manage to get it done.

Result: Win (2-1; 0-1 SEC)

Week 4: Auburn

After seeing the running game of MSU and South Carolina gash holes in the Missouri run defense, I can only imagine what will happen in this game. Auburn has one of the top running backs in the SEC with Kerryon Johnson. This game won’t even be close.

Result: Loss (2-2; 0-2 SEC)

Week 5: BYE

Week 6: at Kentucky

The first road game of the season Mizzou faces the Wildcats, whom have won two straight in the series. Lock struggles on the road and he will again against a Mark Stoops defense.

Result: Loss (2-3; 0-3 SEC)

Week 7: at Georgia

Oh, please. This one won’t even be close.

Result: Loss (2-4; 0-4 SEC)

Week 8: Idaho

The Vandals aren’t going to be a pushover. They went 9-4 last season with a bowl win over Colorado State. Still, after a three game losing streak, the Tigers come out desperate in this one and get the job done.

Result: Win (3-4)

Week 9: at UConn

This team went 3-9 last season and is just not very good. Mizzou finally gets a win on the road.

Result: Win (4-4)

Week 10: Florida

There is a question for the Gators for who will start at quarterback. However, across the board the Gators are better and will embarrass the Tigers about like they did last season.

Result: Loss (4-5; 0-5 SEC)

Week 11: Tennessee

The bigger question in this game is whether Butch Jones will have been fired yet. Last year was an utter embarrassment for the Tigers in Knoxville, but this year will be different. The Vols are leaning on a lot of new players on offense and hopefully by this time the Tigers offense will be in sync against an annually underachieving Tennessee defense.

Result: Win (5-5; 1-5 SEC)

Week 12: at Vanderbilt

So, on the brink of bowl eligibility, the Tigers visit Nashville to take on a tough-minded Derek Mason team. The Tigers are the more talented team in this one; it pays off and Damerea Crockett carries the team to victory as the Tigers reach bowl eligibility.

Result: Win (6-5; 2-5 SEC)

Week 13: at Arkansas

In the new Border Line rivalry, the home team has won each of the first three games. The Razorbacks looked to be solidly ahead at 24-7 in Columbia last year before an epic comeback. But this time the Hogs won’t let that happen in front of their own fans.

Result: Loss

Final record: 6-6 (2-6)

Next: 'Tiger Takeaways' vs. South Carolina

The Tigers’ final record will make them bowl eligible for the first time in three years, but there’s still no real sense in how Missouri will do in a bowl game. If head coach Barry Odom is still around at this point, then he may keep his job for at least another season, but the Tigers will be expected to repeat their bowl success, at a minimum.

Home/Football

Missouri Football: Predicting the rest of the Tigers’ 2017 season

By Josh McSwain | Sep 12, 2017