Missouri Football: Will Badie and Okwuegbunam play against Vanderbilt?
The Missouri Tigers are coming off an exciting win over the Florida Gators, but now Mizzou must adjust and prepare for a home game against Vanderbilt.
Admittedly, I doubted the Tigers would pull a win over the Gators a week ago, as I picked against them. It wasn’t a plan of reverse-psychology or an attempt to fool luck into letting the Tigers get a win, but I’m still glad the game turned out the way it did.
This week, the Tigers prepare for a more homely foe in Vanderbilt, and if Missouri plays anything like it did a week ago, then this game should basically go the same way.
While Vanderbilt isn’t as formidable a foe as Kentucky, Florida, or Georgia (Alabama is in a league solely its own), the Commodores have still shown they can present problems to opponents.
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To date, Vandy’s most notable games were wins against Florida and Arkansas, and its closest losses were to Notre Dame (22-17), and Kentucky (14-7). While the Commodores own a 4-5 record, their conference record (1-4) matches Mizzou’s.
As long as the Tigers give as much effort as they have for most of the season, then realistically, they should not have a problem taking a win this week.
Missouri gave an amazing offensive performance against the Gators, and I expect to see a similar game plan against Venderbilt. Two of the Tigers’ key play makers last week was running back Tyler Badie and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam.
Both Badie (foot) and Okwuegbunam (shoulder) sustained injuries against Florida, and were reportedly limited in practice this week, so while their status for tomorrow’s game is “officially” questionable, it seems promising they will be available. Also of note, backup tight end Kendall Blanton suffered a knee injury, but practiced on a limited basis with the team.
Drew Lock tamed the Gators. dark. Next
I’d love to see Missouri blow the Commodores out of the water in this game, but I’ll reserve my excitement for in-game commentary. I’ll go the conservative route and predict the Tigers to win by a respectable two touchdowns, 35-21.