Missouri Football Destined for a Let-Down in 2024

For the first time since joining the SEC ahead of the 2012 season, Missouri and Kentucky will not meet on the gridiron. Some Wildcat fans might see this as a blessing, but I’m here to slow down this Tigers’ offseason hype train.

There are plenty of reasons why some believe Missouri will be one of the five best teams in the SEC this fall. The Tigers just capped off an 11-2 season with a win over Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. Brady Cook rose from mediocrity to exceptional and is back for another season. He’ll get to throw the ball to arguably the best returning wide receiver in college football, Luther Burden.

The surprising success of the Mizzou offense is credited to offensive coordinator Kirby Moore, the younger brother of NFL play-caller Kellen Moore, who spurned offers elsewhere to coach most of his top contributors from the 2023 team. Moreover, Missouri drew a dream schedule in the first year of the expanded SEC.

1. Aug. 31: vs. Murray State 
2. Sept. 7: vs. Buffalo 
3. Sept. 14: vs. Boston College 
4. Sept. 21: vs. Vanderbilt  
5. Sept. 28: Bye
6. Oct. 5: at Texas A&M 
7. Oct. 12: at Massachusetts
8. Oct. 19: Auburn
9. Oct. 26: at Alabama 
10. Nov. 2: Bye
11. Nov. 9: Oklahoma
12. Nov. 16: at South Carolina
13. Nov. 23: at Mississippi State
14. Nov. 29: Arkansas

Most Tiger fans can clearly envision a scenario where they’re 7-0 entering Bryant-Denny Stadium for a Top 25 matchup with Alabama. It’s the perfect scenario for a fanbase to put up their blinders before disappointment strikes.

The Missouri Defense will be Drinkwitz’s Downfall

For as much as they’re returning on offense, the same cannot be said about the defense. Darius Robinson had the fourth-most sacks in the SEC. He was taken in the first round of the NFL Draft. Missouri also lost two starting cornerbacks and their star inside linebacker to the National Football League.

Now is also a good time to mention Harrison Mevis has moved on. The Thicker Kicker was a difference-maker who saved Drinkwitz’s rear end when he buried a 61-yard field goal to beat Kansas State.

The personnel departures are significant, but they pale in comparison to what happened at the top. LSU hired defensive coordinator Blake Baker for the same position in Baton Rouge. Under Baker’s guidance, Missouri ranked in the top five of the SEC in three of the four major statistical categories in 2023. They went from 13th to fourth in scoring defense in just two years with Baker.

Prior to Baker’s arrival, Drinkwitz whiffed on multiple defensive coordinator hires, most notably Steve Wilks from the NFL ranks. Baker’s successor, Corey Batoon, built his resume on the back of Kane Wommack, who is going back to calling defenses at Alabama after a brief head coaching stint at South Alabama. Knowing Drink’s track record, this new change may be a big miss.

Missouri fans had their fan in 2023 as the surprise upstarts of the SEC. Everything is teed up for them to continue that momentum this fall and history tells us that’s when they’re destined to fall. If you like wagering on win totals, under 9.5 might be worth the -145 juice.