Missouri Tigers look to gain momentum against UConn

COLUMBIA, MO - SEPTEMBER 2: Damarea Crockett
COLUMBIA, MO - SEPTEMBER 2: Damarea Crockett

After a convincing win against Idaho, Mizzou looks to start its first winning streak against UConn, which should be an easy game, as long as they come prepared.

It was nice to finally enjoy a win last week, but it’s time for the Tigers to get ready for their next opponent in UConn.

While Connecticut comes in off of two consecutive wins against Temple and Tulsa, they have the worst pass defense in the country. The Huskies, who allowed Memphis to score 70 points and throw for eight touchdowns in one game, will allow Drew Lock a hey day. Look for Lock to throw for more than 400 yards and at least four touchdowns.

Expect wide receiver Emanuel Hall to destroy the secondary on deep passes and emerging freshmen tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, who caught three touchdowns against Idaho, to be a red zone threat all game.

Missouri Tigers Football
Missouri Tigers Football

Missouri Tigers Football

With running back Damarea Crockett looking like he might miss the rest of the season, expect the running game to be the Ish Witter and Larry Rountree show, which shouldn’t be to much of an issue.

Rountree has emerged as one of the biggest surprises of the season. He is a bulldozer who breaks through tackles with ease and blows past defenders.

With Crockett out, Rountree will start getting the carries he’s yearned for, while proving just how good he can be.

While the Tigers offense will put on a show, UConn’s offense can score, as well. Huskies quarterback Bryant Shirreffs has had an outstanding season throwing for nearly 2,000 yards, 13 touchdowns and only four interceptions.

Shirreffs will torch Mizzou’s secondary with ease, which will put pressure on the Tigers’ defensive line to make Shirreffs uncomfortable in the pocket. Terry Beckner, Jr. is finally playing with the intensity that we have all expected from him, and is becoming the threat that he was promised to be.

If Beckner and the defensive line can put some pressure on Shirreffs, that should relieve the secondary enough to keep UConn from keeping up with Missouri, offensively.

Expect this to be a high scoring game on both sides, but Missouri will come out on top. Drew Lock is too good and this defense is too bad for it to be even close. You can catch the game on Saturday night at 6:30 P.M. ET on CBS Sports Network.

Schedule

Schedule