JessN: Missouri Preview: Tigers' offensive balance makes them tough -- but enough to be favorites, too?

[JessN]

Missouri preview: Tigers’ offensive balance makes them tough — but enough to be favorites, too?
by Jess Nicholas, TideFans.com Editor-In-Chief

When Missouri convinced Louisiana-Monroe RB Ahmad Hardy to transfer to the Tiger program, it didn’t cause much more than a ripple or two in the news cycle. The Tigers had added depth, but that was the extent of the reaction from most observers.

Fast-forward a few months later and Hardy is a fringe Heisman Trophy candidate and, along with backup Jamal Roberts, the reason some are now predicting the Tigers to go deep into the College Football Playoff. Missouri was expected to have a decent passing game in 2024, but now has a top-flight rushing attack to go with it.

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TideFans.com | By the Fans, For the Fans. - Missouri preview: Tigers’ offensive balance makes them tough — but enough to be favorites, too?

When Missouri convinced Louisiana-Monroe RB Ahmad Hardy to transfer to the Tiger program, it didn’t cause much more than a ripple or two in the news cycle. The Tigers had added depth, but tha…

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  • Projected Depth Chart for Alabama vs. Missouri
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• Week 07 Pickem

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Good write up, JessN. I do question one thing. Against the only two legit teams Mizzoo has played (Kansas and USCe), both averaged 12 and 16 yards per catch and Ive also heard other analysts say that if given time, Simpson could eat their secondary alive. That they're not that good in the secondary.

 

[sanjosecrimson]

I believe the Bama OL will surprised people how well they will handled Missouri's DL which is their strength. As you mentioned Jess, their OL is not up to par at the moment and the way our front 7 has been playing the last two games, they will pressure the QB with success.

 

[skrayper77]

Missouri is so hard to gauge because, even 5 games in, they've played no one of note. The average ranking of opponents is only slightly better than the lowest ranked opponent Alabama has played (ULM).

 

[CajunCrimson]

And they were down to both USCe and Kansas for significant periods of those games. Kansas was up 21-6 after 1st quarter.

 

[sanjosecrimson]

And they were down to both USCe and Kansas for significant periods of those games. Kansas was up 21-6 after 1st quarter.

I posted a link on the USC game for reference. They had to come back late to win at home despite leading in 3rd down conversions, TOP and fewer penalties.

 

[OakMtn4Bama]

11:00 am worries me, but if we show up ready, we should rock and roll.

 

[CoolBreeze]

With 5 practice games under their belt, it is pretty easy to get up for one game a year and that is especially true when you are at home vs Alabama. I think we are in for a 4 quarter game.