Missouri Tigers face Vanderbilt for Homecoming
The Missouri Tigers face Vanderbilt on Saturday, October 22nd. The University of Missouri, the school recognized by most for inventing homecoming will be anxious to show their school spirit, with hopes the football program can pull its weight and pull out a win.
The Tigers plan on showcasing their full package on offense, for the first time since week 1. Not since the season opener have the Missouri Tigers had their full complement of offensive weapons.
Leaving the bye week, heading into the matchup with Vanderbilt, Mizzou returns a healthy Elijah Young, meaning all three of the Tigers’ premier running backs are back. Young along with Nathaniel Peat and Cody Schrader will all be available.
The Tigers also return healthy at the wide receiver position. Luther Burden and Dominic Lovett are both said to be 100% after the additional rest time. Despite the week off, Lovett still ranks third in receiving yards in the SEC.
Eli Drinkwitz on Tiger Talk radio show says WRs Dominic Lovett and Luther Burden "should be back full speed, ready to roll."
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) October 20, 2022
In a battle of the worst teams in the SEC East, the Missouri Tigers are favored by 14. This line may seem extreme to some, as both teams have four losses, with three of them coming in the conference; however, Missouri is the better team, and at home, should coast to victory.
Why the Missouri Tigers will win
Healthy: The Tigers are the healthiest they have been since the opening kick of the season. A healthy, well-coached Tigers team is one of the best in the SEC, arguably a top-five team. Individual talent is not the issue. Putting together four quarters is the issue. The Tigers may not need four great quarters to beat Vandy, but it is a good place to start as they prepare for South Carolina.
Lots to prove: This is not a lost season if the Tigers can string together some wins. It starts with the Commodores. An impressive victory will work wonders for Mizzou’s confidence. A squad that has been so close to glory this season, and walked away dejected three weeks in a row, understandably so.
Better football team: Mizzou is a much better team overall than Vanderbilt. The Tigers have more playmakers at almost every position. The skill positions will be enough to create a gap on the scoreboard.
Defense: The Tigers ended their most recently played game with the tenth-ranked defense in all of division 1 football. If not for the bye week, they would not have slipped to 23rd. Still impressive – the Tigers defense is for real. The Mizzou defense will swarm Vanderbilt, which will lead to turnovers and a lopsided game.
Tigers fan will be interested in who is under center. We may get our first glimpse at Sam Horn, and maybe even some Tyler Macon in this game. If Missouri blows out Vanderbilt, I expect to see Brady Cook on the sideline. Or worse, if Cook struggles badly, Horn should make an appearance.
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