NCAAF 2021 Missouri Tigers: A Good Chance for 2nd in the East August 14, 2021 Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports NCAAF 2021 Missouri Tigers: A Good Chance for 2nd in the East August 14, 2021 By: Mike Halterman email Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article The Tigers have quietly become the 3rd best team in the East division and occasionally they are better than that. In fact, they have a chance to move up to 2nd in 2021 if things break right. They have their QB in place, a confident running back, and experience at receiver and the offensive line. The defense is capable. Missouri has to be more consistent and win games they are supposed to win. Coach Eli Drinkwitz is correct when he says they have got to get tougher and finish games better. And they have to fully believe they belong in the SEC.Offense: Co-SEC Freshman of the Year Connor Bazelak finished 2020 with a 67.3% completion rate for 2,366 yards but had just 7 touchdowns along with 6 interceptions. They will look for continued growth from him as he gains experience. Tyler Badie says he can be the best running back in the SEC and he showed some promise last season but that is a pretty bold statement. Keke Chism and Tyler Knox are back with their 66 receptions along with Ohio State transfer Mookie Cooper. And the Tigers return 4 starters to the offensive line. Sounds like they could have a productive offense.Defense: New coordinator Steve Wilks steps in and inherits a decent situation. The defensive line has three seniors who decided to return for the extra year they were granted and will join first-team All-SEC Trajan Jeffcoat. At linebacker, Nick Bolton departed for the NFL, but Devin Nicholson returns along with his 83 tackles last season.The secondary could be a trouble area but do return safety Martez Manuel and cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr.Non-Conference Schedule:9/4 Central Michigan9/18 S.E. Missouri State9/25 at Boston College10/9 North TexasThis is a relatively easy schedule with the toughest game being a road test at Boston College. That game is certainly winnable and if they get that one on the win side, they should go 4-0.Conference Schedule:9/11 at Kentucky10/2 Tennessee10/16 Texas A&M10/30 at Vanderbilt11/6 at Georgia11/13 South Carolina11/20 Florida11/27 at ArkansasAs SEC conference schedules go, this one is definitely doable. First of all there is no Alabama from the other division. That is always a good thing. The road games at Vanderbilt and Arkansas are against teams that figure in the lower part of their respective divisions. Those are must wins. The game at Kentucky is tricky with it being in week 2 of the season and the offense might not be clicking yet. But it is week 2 for Kentucky also so that is a poor excuse and they need to win that one. The other road test at Georgia might be for the East division title if things go Missouri’s way. The home games are more difficult. Tennessee and South Carolina are both struggling and they are must wins especially in Columbia. Then come the toughies against Texas A&M from the West division and Florida. If they win both of those it could be a special year.Summary: The experience on offense, the potential for a good defense, and a favorable non-conference and conference schedule should give Missouri a chance to contend in the East division. They have to do something a lot of Missouri teams have done in the past and that is don’t slip up against lesser opponents. That is easier said than done.Predicted Finish: 2nd Place in SEC East DivisionOverall Record: 8-4
Breeders’ Cup 2024 Recap: What We Learned From World Championships | Blinkers Off 693 The Racing Dudes recap the 41st annual Breeders’ Cup World… Read More
Del Mar Preview & FREE Pick 5 Bets | The Magic Mike Show 572 The Magic Mike Show guys preview Del Mar Thoroughbred Club… Read More
College Football Week 11 and NFL Week 10 Picks | Dudes Who Bet Sports 214 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Official Breeders’ Cup 2024 Picks | Blinkers Off 692 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for the 41st… Read More
Jon White Breeders’ Cup 2024 Interview and Picks | Blinkers Off 691 The Racing Dudes interview Jon White, former Santa Anita, Del… Read More
Kentucky Derby 2025 Latest News & Top 5 | The New Season Begins The inaugural top 5 contenders list for the 2024 Kentucky… Read More
Racing Dudes Premium Picks CASH Trifecta at Aqueduct for $124.50 on $12 Ticket 11/10/24 The Long Island Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct on Sunday, November… Read More
Rockets CASH Big Pick 3 at Del Mar for $119.50 on $12 Ticket 11/10/24 Sunday was another good afternoon at Del Mar for the Rocket… Read More
Rockets CASH Pick 5 at Aqueduct for $415.00 on $108 Ticket 11/10/24 Sunday was another good afternoon at Aqueduct for the Rocket Subscribers,… Read More
Best Value Race at Penn National Produces over $550.00 in Profits for the Racing Dudes Premium Picks The “Best Value” race of the day for Penn National… Read More