Missouri’s midseason predictions for the next 5 games
https://theathletic.com/2187988/2020...z-nick-bolton/
Predictions
1. Missouri will finish .500
The Tigers are heavy underdogs against No. 12 Georgia, but the second half of their schedule could be pretty manageable. South Carolina, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt all have losing records, and the Commodores have yet to win a game. With a 2-3 record, the Tigers need to go a doable 3-2 to finish at .500. And should Drinkwitz go 5-5, he’ll warrant some SEC Coach of the Year consideration, though at this point Arkansas’ Sam Pittman is the heavy favorite.
2. Barry Odom will get his revenge in an Arkansas win against Missouri
In the most intriguing Missouri-Arkansas matchup in years, Drinkwitz’s offense will go up against an Arkansas defense led by coordinator Barry Odom, whom the Tigers fired after the 2019 season. Arkansas sits at 3-3 and is finally making the most of solid players it has recruited. Drinkwitz’s offense has looked inconsistent, so it might struggle against a good defense. With Feleipe Franks doing enough to win games at quarterback, Arkansas is poised to be much more of a test than expected going into the year.
3. The defense will bounce back
Missouri’s defense has been underwhelming so far, but much of that is because of the offenses it’s faced. Alabama and Florida are in the top six nationally in yards per play, and Brennan averaged 370 passing yards per game for LSU before getting hurt. Missouri’s defense looked good against an inept Kentucky offense, and none of the Tigers’ remaining opponents rank among the Top 75 teams nationally in yards per play. Expect a second-half bounceback from Walters’ unit.
4. Missouri intercepts at least three passes in the next five games
This might not seem like a bold prediction, but Missouri has only one interception this season. Before Jarvis Ware’s interception against Florida, no Tigers cornerback had picked off a pass since 2018. Missouri’s opponents in the second half should lead to more interception opportunities, especially Mike Leach’s Mississippi State, which is averaging more than two interceptions thrown per game. Georgia’s Stetson Bennett has been prone to turnovers, and Vanderbilt’s Ken Seals has thrown eight in five games.
5. Bazelak has another 350-yard passing game
Again, Missouri’s opponents factor into this prediction. Mississippi State’s defense allowed 336 passing yards to Vanderbilt this past week, and Alabama could have put up way more than 291 if the Tide had kept their foot on the gas in a 41-0 victory. Vanderbilt, meanwhile, has allowed an average of 302 passing yards a game since holding Texas A&M to 189 the first week of the season. Bazelak should have a chance at explosive pass plays in one — if not both of — those games.
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