3 keys to a Mizzou victory over UMass on Saturday

First things first: Missouri needs to burn the film from last week's game at Texas A&M. That showing was an embarrassment, and the Tigers will aim to correct it on Saturday against UMass.

Saturday's matchup will be the first meeting between the Tigers and the Minutemen. UMass enters the contest at 1-5 on the season, with Mizzou being its first Power Five opponent of the year.

In desperate need of positive momentum, Saturday's game is crucial for the Tigers. Here are three keys to victory, and more importantly, three focal points Mizzou must establish as they head into the rest of SEC play.

1. Brady Cook and the passing offense

It's no secret at this point that Brady Cook has struggled. Whether it's poor decisions or missed passes, Cook has been unable to find a rhythm, and frustration is mounting. Last season, Cook hit his stride against Kansas State and played some exceptional football, but it seems like he's taken a step back this year. Many have questioned whether Cook is fully healthy, but Coach Drinkwitz put those rumors to rest in his weekly presser on Tuesday. While it may not be crucial for winning against UMass, Cook needs to show up and build some positive momentum in the passing game ahead of the rest of SEC play. If Mizzou can't establish an effective aerial attack, it will be a major concern for the second half of the season, with tougher opponents on the horizon.

2. Establishing the run behind Mizzou's talented offensive line

Whether it was a game plan issue or lack of execution, Mizzou had just three rushing attempts before trailing Texas A&M 17-0 last weekend. With that game behind them, it's crucial for the Tigers to learn from it and establish the rushing offense early on Saturday. The Tigers relied heavily on Nate Noel in their first four games, and winning the line of scrimmage will be even more important as the season progresses. One of Mizzou's major issues last week was the inability to win in the trenches. Expect a bounce-back performance from the offensive line as they look to gain traction on the ground. Given Cook's struggles, establishing a strong rushing attack will be vital before SEC play resumes. Marcus Carroll has been poised to break a big run all season, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him handle a heavier workload against UMass on Saturday.

3. Defensive front needs to creates more pressure

Mizzou's defensive front needs to create more pressure not just against UMass, but in the weeks ahead if they want to compete with higher-level opponents. The Tigers have recorded just nine sacks through their first five games, with only four in the last three contests. For the amount of talent Mizzou’s defensive line possesses, they are not generating enough pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Last week, Conner Weigman had all day to throw, and when nothing was open downfield, the defensive front couldn’t contain him on the ground. This has been a recurring issue, as Mizzou's defensive line hasn’t performed up to expectations recently. This unit needs to get back on track against UMass, building momentum for the rest of the season. It will be interesting to see how veterans like Kristian Williams, Johnny Walker, and Zion Young respond on Saturday.

It's clear that the game against UMass is crucial for Mizzou to get back on track in nearly all aspects of its play. The Tigers are set to kick off in Amherst at 11 a.m. on Saturday morning.