Brady Cook believes expectations for Missouri are at 'an all-time high'

A popular sleeper pick in the SEC this season is Missouri. Not just because of the schedule the Tigers will face, appearing to be on the lighter side on paper but also the job Eli Drinkwitz has done with the program. Missouri has a talented roster, building through both recruiting and the NCAA transfer portal.

After winning 11 games in 2023, expectations have never been higher for Mizzou. Quarterback Brady Cook embraces having those expectations, saying it’s something they have worked for. Cook is hopeful he can deliver in a big way this season — in what will be his final year of college football.

“The standard and expectation is at an all-time high for our team, for the program,” Cook said. “But that’s what we want. That’s what we wished for, that’s why we played so hard last year. I’m just glad I get the opportunity to come back for one more.”

Depending on who you ask, three or four teams are in the top level of the SEC in the preseason. Georgia, Ole Miss, and Texas are receiving a ton of hype while Alabama is up there for some with Kalen DeBoer taking over for Nick Saban.

Missouri will face just one of those teams, traveling to Tuscaloosa in late October. An early road trip to College Station should give us a good idea of where the Tigers stand, while facing Oklahoma could rekindle an old Big 8/Big 12 rivalry.

And if a run is going to be made, Cook is going to play a big role. Last season saw the Missouri quarterback have career highs all across the board, throwing for 3,317 yards, 21 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Cook has four years of experience under his belt but due to COVID-19 eligibility rules, he is able to play one more year.

Having arguably the best wide receiver in college football, Luther Burden, certainly helps the cause too. Belief in the offense alone is sky-high because of the Cook-Burden combination.

Expectations could be met in a few different ways. Getting back to the SEC Championship would be another step forward for Missouri. But you have to imagine making the College Football Playoff and competing for a national championship is the ultimate goal. Expanding from four to 12 will help multiple teams in 2024 and the Tigers certainly could be one.

People in Columbia are ready to embrace the higher standard and hopefully, exceed it.