Photo by: Jaydyn Isiminger
Missouri
2023 Results: 11-2, 6-2 SEC
2024 Projection: 11-1, 7-1 SEC
Overview:
My biggest swing and miss projecting the SEC last season was Missouri. To be fair, nobody was high on the Tigers entering 2023, but boy did they prove everyone wrong. If they didn’t self-implode against LSU that team would have been in the playoff conversation. Eli Drinkwitz won’t sneak up on anyone this season, but he returns the majority of a team that should carry a lot of confidence into 2024 and has the easiest schedule in the SEC.
Offense:
The offense is loaded at the skill positions, led by quarterback Brady Cook and a deadly trio of receivers in Theo Wease Jr., Mookie Cooper, and the electrifying Luther Burden III. Brett Norfleet also returns at the tight end position, so Cook has no shortage of weapons to throw to. They do have to replace Cody Schrader at running back and two starters on the offensive line so that will be something to watch, but with Cook calling plays and the speed and skill he has to throw to, I expect this offense to be better than last year.
Defense:
The defense has to replace three of their four leading tacklers from 2023 and lost three defensive backs to the NFL. Corey Batoon will take over as Defensive Coordinator and identifying the replacements for that productivity will be job number one. Johnny Walker Jr. does return and will likely be haunting opposing quarterback’s dreams all season, and Drinkwitz had success in the transfer portal to fill some of the gaps created by departing players.
Special Teams:
The thicker kicker, Harrison Mevis, is gone and his range and accuracy will be hard to replace. In fact, both kicking positions will have new starters. Mevis’s shoes looked to be filled by Blake Craig, while Luke Bauer and Orion Phillips are battling it out for the punting duties.
Final Thoughts:
I mentioned the schedule in the opening paragraph and I really think every game is winnable for this veteran team. The trip to Tuscaloosa is the loss I see coming and there are certainly other games they could lose, but they should be favored in all of them. If they take care of business, this will be a playoff team and perhaps play the first weekend in December at Mercedes Benz Stadium.
