Returning from a bye week can be challenging for any team, but the Missouri Tigers will have to deal with rainy weather on Saturday.
The Tigers have been fortunate to start the first quarter of their season with fair weather and a 3-1 record. On Saturday, Mizzou might face its toughest opponent, yet.
While weather could certainly play a factor into the outcome of this game, the Tigers are well equipped to make the necessary adjustments if needed. Weather in a word for kickoff on Saturday: Wet.
Saturday’s temperatures will be agreeable, for the most part, with a high of 74 degrees. There is a 58% chance of thunderstorms around kickoff, and the threat remains until about 5:00. For the 3:00 PM kickoff, it will be 73 degrees, with an actual feel of 69 degrees.
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Once the storm threat passes, the rest of the evening looks perfect, with lows in the mid-to-low 60s. The other big question everyone has, is how Missouri will fare coming off the bye.
Under head coach Barry Odom, Mizzou has never won a game coming out of its off week, a record that Odom is fully aware of and would like to see change.
Against Troy, the Tigers hold a winning record of 2-1, which is a record the Trojans would like to at least even. Mizzou’s single loss to the Trojans, in 2004, was also Troy’s biggest upset on its home turf, at the time.
As recent as 2017, the Trojans pulled off an unlikely win in Baton Rouge, upsetting LSU 24-21. Missouri is also favored heavily in this game, by 24.5 points, which will add fuel to Troy’s fire, while in danger of losing its third game of the season.
If history tells us anything, it’s that Troy may play its best football, when put in an underdog role. It will be interesting to see how Missouri handles being heavily favored, against Troy feeling disrespected.
The good news for Mizzou, is the Tigers defense is hitting its stride and will look to be a force for the Trojans to reckon with. I would like to see the Tigers buck their losing after the bye trend, and pull off a winnable game.
If I were a betting man, I’d say this game is going to be much closer than 24 points. It could be high-scoring, but Missouri won’t blow out Troy. I’ll give the Tigers a 14-point win.