5 Things You Need to Know About the Missouri Tigers

After starting the season 5-0 the #20 Kentucky Wildcats went to Athens with the goal of shocking the world. Playing their best football of the year in a 33-14 win over Florida the week before convinced many in Big Blue Nation that the upset was possible. However, the ‘Cats were absolutely punched in the mouth by the #1 Georgia Bulldogs. Kentucky was uncharacteristically undisciplined, unprepared, and got a 50-burger put on Coach Brad White’s defense. The loss itself wasn’t shocking, but the manner in which it came sent shockwaves through the fanbase. With how difficult the rest of the schedule looks, it was easy for doomsday scenarios to surface in the mind.

Despite the ugly loss, all of the Wildcats realistic goals are still very much ahead of them. Beating Georgia was never a part of lofty goals such as a 10-win season or even a shot at a New Year’s Six bowl game. Those goals can all still be achieved. However, to achieve them, you do have to win games like the ‘Cats face on Saturday. All six remaining games are essentially toss-ups, aside from maybe Alabama, so you have to hold serve at home to reach those preseason goals. Kentucky did so in dominant fashion against the Gators in week five. Will they do the same in week seven against the Tigers? As Freddie Maggard would say, “we’ll see.”

As always, we have all of your pregame needs right here on Kentucky Sports Radio dot com for the 7:30 p.m. kickoff between the #24 Kentucky Wildcats (5-1, 2-1) and Mizzou (5-1, 1-1). If you haven’t already, two must reads are Adam Luckett’s Scouting Report and Freddie Maggard’s goals for the game. Those are the in-depth, football-nerd previews. For those in search of a more surface level look at what to expect on Saturday night, you are in the right place. Let’s dive on in to five things you need to know about the Missouri Tigers.

Missouri’s Offensive Star Power – Quarterback

Brady Cook beat out Sam Horn to be the Missouri Tigers starting quarterback and has not looked back. The redshirt junior has been of the best in the country through six weeks leading a high-powered offense that has leaned heavily on the passing game. In SEC play, the Tigers are throwing the ball 62.9% of the time and that has led to Cook being on pace to go over 4,000 yards on the season. Currently, Cook sits at 1,863 yards on 135-188 passing and 13 touchdowns to just two interceptions. Both efficiency and explosiveness have been there in Missouri’s passing attacking.

Cook ranks in the Top 15 nationally both in completion percentage (71.8%) and completions of 20-plus yards (29). Finding that difficult balance is tough to do and proves his status as one of the best in the Southeastern Conference. However, while Cook’s talent is undeniable, he has the luxury of throwing to quite possibly the best wide receiver in college football.

Missouri’s Offensive Star Power – Wide Receiver

You don’t put up the offensive numbers that the Missouri Tigers have produced with just a talented quarterback along. It has been a combination of Cook’s improvement, solid offensive line play, good play calling, and the most dominant pass catcher in the country. Luther Burden has been nothing short of other-worldly through six weeks of play.

The true sophomore has exploded for 54 catches, 793 yards, and five touchdowns. His receptions, targets, and receiving yards lead the nation. Furthermore, his 14 catches of 20-plus yards is second in the country. No matter how you slice it, Burden the most productive wide receiver in all of college football this season. In their two SEC games, the Tigers have leaned even more heavily on their star wideout. Burden has reeled in 11 catches in each of the last two contests including an incredible 17 targets in their loss to LSU.

Mizzou is going to force feed the ball to #3 Luther Burden. If the going gets tough at Kroger Field, they will turn to him even more. Containing the dynamic receiver will be the primary key to success under the lights on Saturday night.

Top Running Back Listed as Questionable

Do not sleep on the Missouri Tigers running game. Much has been made, rightfully so, about their success through the air this season, but they’ve been more than effective on the ground as well. However, if Cody Schrader is unable to go that could change everything. He has been, by far, the Tigers most effective rusher going for 577 yards on 94 carriers and six touchdowns. Schrader’s over six yards per carry average has helped keep Mizzou ahead of the chains and taken some pressure off of Brady Cook. If the Division II transfer is unavailable, or even limited, it will make Missouri’s offense much more one dimensional.

Leaky Pass Defense Allows a Lot of Points

The Devin Leary era at Kentucky could come to a head on Saturday night. On one hand, a quarterback’s effectiveness is largely based on team record. From that standpoint, Leary is 5-1 as a Wildcat and doing just fine. However, the stat sheet and eye test have no been nearly as favorable. The North Carolina State transfer is missing open receivers, turning the ball over, and having it all exacerbated by dropped passes. Saturday night’s game against the Missouri Tigers, on paper, should be a get right spot.

Missouri is allowing 25.5 points per game, including 35 per game in conference play. They are coming off of LSU hanging 49 points in CoMo. Vanderbilt and LSU each threw for 259 yards against the Tigers and posted a combined five passing touchdowns. Throwing for 250+ yards to create some balance offensively would be huge for Leary, the Kentucky offense, and everyone’s confidence moving forward.

Diving further into the statistics, Mizzou has allowed 7.3 yards per pass and opposing quarterbacks have a QB Rating of 144.15 which is 102nd nationally. They are also doing a poor job of getting off of the field on third down and have allowed touchdowns on over 60% of red zone trips. Again, Leary and company must find some success through the air to land in the win column in this tightly contested SEC affair.

Strong Front Four Creates Some Pressure

Missouri’s defense has been a bit of a disappointment this season, but they have gotten push from their front four. The Tigers pass rush has produced two and a half sacks per game and a pressure rate of 38.5%. However, the secondary has broken down too often leading to big plays and scoring opportunities. If the Big Blue Wall can give Devin Leary time it will go a long way to a bounce back passing performance as discussed above.

Darius Robinson and Johnny Walker Jr. are the two names to know on the Missouri Tigers defensive line. Robinson is a massive presence on the edge that has produced one and a half sacks and four tackles for loss. Meanwhile, Walker Jr. has been the most productive member of the defense producing three sacks, five and a half tackles for loss, and six total quarterback hurries. Slowing down these two will be critical on Saturday night.