Mizzou football: Tigers defense is elite in several phases

The defense for the Mizzou football team has made statements early and often over the past three games.

Mizzou football coach Barry Odom talked about ways to become a good defense at his Tuesday press conference. He repeatedly said “it takes everybody,” from the coaches to the players.

"“You’re good against the run, you eliminate explosive plays and you find ways to get the ball back.”"

The Tigers have been excellent on all three phases. The defense has been complete during its three games in September.

Because of that, Mizzou is No. 19 overall in ESPN’s 2019 Football Power Index this week.

Only six one-loss teams are ahead of Mizzou as well as two-loss Texas A&M. The Tigers are the seventh-ranked SEC team on the list.

Where Mizzou nearly tops the list is on defense.

The Tigers are ranked No. 5 for defensive efficiency, just behind SEC East foe Georgia, which is No. 4 in the nation. Wisconsin is No. 1.

It’s no secret the Tigers are one of the best defenses in the country. They have been an A+ defense over the month of September. If they keep it up over the month of October, they will shoot up the FPI, the rankings and the standings.

Missouri Tigers Football

Mizzou has four touchdowns on defense over the past three weeks. That’s more TDs than the Tigers have given up total (3). Mizzou only has allowed 21 points over the past three weeks and only 86 rushing yards.

Where Mizzou has gotten a jump on teams is in the first quarter.

The Tigers haven’t allowed a point in the first quarter this season. In the past three games, Mizzou only has allowed seven points in the first half, and that was on a one-play, 1-yard drive from South Carolina.

Mizzou’s defense is elite, and it doesn’t take long for the Tigers to show it.

Players have excelled in the new 4-2-5 defense, including new starter Nick Bolton and split-time starting safety Ronnell Perkins. Each have two interceptions on the season to lead the team.

Bolton and fellow linebacker Cale Garrett already have been named SEC defensive players of the week.

The Tigers don’t give up the big plays, either. Mizzou only has given up eight plays of 20 yards are more, the second-fewest in the nation behind Clemson (7). And the Tigers only have given up 32 plays of 10 yards or more, which leads the nation.

Where Mizzou would like to get better at is sacks.

The Tigers only have 10 sacks on the year, and only Kobie Whiteside (3) and Chris Turner (2) have multiple quarterback takedowns. Mizzou might be getting stronger with the addition of Trajan Jeffcoat, a would-be starter who hasn’t been healthy all season.

Mizzou released its Week 6 depth chart, and Jeffcoat is listed on it, for the first time this season, as the No. 3 defensive end.

Odom said the defense has affected the QB, even if the sack totals aren’t there.

"“I do think that we’ve altered throws whether it’s the delivery of the arm angle, whether it’s making them move the pocket. They feel the pressure, get the hit, those things that take a toll on the quarterback.”"

They have a chance to show that again this week against a stacked Troy offense that features quarterback Kaleb Barker, who has thrown for 1,367 yards and 13 TDs in four games.