Missouri Football: Can the Tigers pull off upset of No. 12 Kentucky?
The Missouri Tigers have been beaten by ranked opponents. On Saturday, the Tigers look to pull off the improbable, and upset the No. 12 Kentucky Wildcats.
The Tigers are coming off an almost stellar homecoming win over Memphis, a game in which Mizzou outplayed the Tigers through three quarters of the game. Now, Missouri hopes to swing some of that momentum into an even bigger game.
Under head coach Barry Odom, the Tigers have not won any outings against ranked opponents. Mizzou has been competitive in a number of games against ranked opposition, but typically comes up short or runs out of gas in the third quarter.
Last year, the Tigers were within literal striking distance of pulling a major upset over Kentucky, until a series of events caused Mizzou to run out of time and forfeit a chance to win.
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Similar to last year’s embarrassing loss to Purdue, this game also has a revenge factor to it for the Tigers. Missouri played quite well at Kentucky last year, until the Tigers’ chance for the win was stripped in the closing minute of the game.
Kentucky has a lot at stake in this game. The Wildcats are in a race with Georgia to win the division. If Missouri beats Kentucky and Georgia wins against Florida, then the Wildcats’ odds of winning the division would be improbable.
Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops also has a $250,000.00 per win escalator in his contract at stake, if Kentucky doesn’t win its seventh game of the season. So Stoops will be looking to have his guys in the right place to make plays.
The Wildcats’s offense features top SEC running back Benny Snell, who is averaging 5.4 yards per carry, and already has 868 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the season.
In this game, there are two “X-factors.” Once again, the Missouri Tigers’ defensive secondary could make or break the day for Mizzou, as Kentucky quarterback Terry Wilson’s performance has been in decline, since dominating over Florida.
If Missouri’s defensive secondary can play opportunistic football for two straight weeks, then it could allow the Tigers’ offense more opportunities at the end zone and a short field. The Tigers’ formidable defensive front is strong and talented enough to get after Wilson, and limit Snell’s damage.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Tigers welcomed wide receiver Emanuel Hall back to the field, but his return to game action is still uncertain. Hall’s likely absence shouldn’t prevent Missouri from returning a decent performance, as quarterback Drew Lock will get more time to work with receivers Jalen Knox and Albert Okwuegbunam.
Mizzou also has a trifecta of running backs in Damarea Crockett, Larry Rountree, and Tyler Badie, who can also distress opposing defenses and seem to hit the gaps at the right times to move the sticks for Mizzou.
In no way, will this game be another blowout performance by the Tigers like it was a week ago against Memphis. Kentucky fields a very talented team, and stands to lose a lot in this game. I expect it to come to the wire. A Missouri win or loss will be by seven points, or less. I’m pulling for the win.
dark. Next. Mizzou won and lost over homecoming
Somehow, Missouri is favored in this matchup. With a win, the Tigers will also improve their bowl game standing, and make a statement in Odom’s first possible win against a ranked opponent. Staring down ranked opponents is something the Tigers have done mostly well under Odom. Now, it’s time for Mizzou to win.