SEC Kickoff Preview: Missouri Tigers 

Eli Drinkwitz has a 17-19 record at Missouri. He’s lost several close games to go along with a pair of bowl losses. An outsider’s glance at Drinkwitz’s winning percentage could paint a picture of a head coach that just might be on the hot seat. This doesn’t appear to be the case in Columbia.  

The Mizzou leadership rewarded the sometimes annoying press-conference jokester with a two-year extension and a 50% raise after going 6-7 in 2022. This indicates the administration’s belief is that the Tigers are close, real close. They could be right. They could be wrong. We’ll see. 

The Kentucky series has quickly turned into a rivalry and hate fest. The series has also acted as an example of close calls for the Tigers. The Cats have won two games in the game’s final moments. The first was an untimed down touchdown by CJ Conrad on the contest’s final play. The other was a roughing the punter call against Mizzou that enabled the Cats to move the chains and secure a victory. Both must have been gut punches to the Tiger faithful and just two examples of how close Drikwitz’s program has been. 

More evidence lies in the fact that the Tigers lost multiple close games in 2022. Auburn, Georgia, Florida, and the aforementioned Kentucky Wildcats combined to beat Mizzou by an average of 4.5 points per game. Thus, I can better understand the brass’s decision. Drinkwitz has been successful in the portal and recruited better than his predecessors. He was also smart enough to step away from play-calling duties. A stagnate offensive scheme and quarterback inconsistencies plagued the Tigers in 2022.  

Quarterback concerns remain to be an issue. A competition will take place during fall camp. But, the Tigers’ defense was improved and stout last season. It returns a plethora of experienced starters and contributors that may ensure that UM remains relevant until the offense catches up.  

32-year-old Kirby Moore was called away from Fresno State to run the offensive show. Moore inherits a unit without a true difference-maker at quarterback. That won’t hunt in the SEC. There are pieces in place, especially at receiver. 

The defense showed vast improvements under first-year coordinator Blake Baker. But frankly, there was no place to go other than up after the Steve Wilks fiasco in 2021. The Tigers return a bunch of starters and contributors from a unit that produced decreases in points and yards allowed per game. 

Will the Tigers win some of those close games? Will a quarterback surface to lead an offense with more than capable surrounding weapons? Not sure. The defense could be one of the better units in the league. Let’s get into it. 

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OFFENSE

Eli Drinkwitz is no longer calling plays. That’s a good thing from an outsider’s perspective. Enter Kirby Moore. The 32-year-old former Fresno State OC’s first order of business is selecting, and developing a starting quarterback. Brady Cook was the team’s starter last season. He’s been ok, a middling SEC signal caller. Cook could face stiff competition in fall camp. Jake Garcia came to Mizzou via the portal from the U. The former four-star recruit will get his chance to win the job, as will redshirt freshman Sam Horn. 

Regardless of which signal caller is on the field, Missouri will feature high-flying receiver Luther Burden III. The true sophomore is expected to make an enormous jump in year two. A pair of portal acquisitions will join the WR room. Theo Wease Jr. (Oklahoma) and Dannis Jackson (Ole Miss) both averaged over 20 yards per reception at their prior schools. A supporting cast of high-flying receivers is in place. The Tigers could be vastly improved IF and only IF the Tigers are better at quarterback.  

A trio of running backs will share carries. This group includes Nathaniel Peat, Cody Schrader, and redshirt freshman Tavorus Jones. The offensive line has gone under construction from last season. Left tackle Javon Foster has started 26 consecutive games The All-SEC performer and pro prospect is the undeniable leader of the Tigers’ front five. Portal acquisitions Cam’Ron Johnson (Houston) and Marcellus Johnson (Eastern Michigan) should provide Moore with much-needed up-front experience. 

Best Offensive Player: WR/KR Luther Burden III

The 5’11, 208-pound Burden III arrived in Columbia from East St. Louis with a massive amount of expectation and skill. The former 5-star prospect played in all 13 games, including 10 starts a year ago. He lived up to the billing after surviving a rough stretch that included internal and external transfer talk and a bad case of the drops. Burden III recorded 45 receptions for 375 yards. He also led the team with 9 touchdowns (6-receiving, 2-rushing, 1-punt return). The versatile playmaker is expected to significantly factor in the Tiger’s offensive and special teams’ plans in 2023. 

Most Important Offensive Player: Offensive Tackle Javon Foster

I could have gone quarterback here but I didn’t. Until I’m shown that Cook or another QB can effectively distribute the football downfield, I’m just not sold on the Mizzou offense. 

Foster is the obvious leader of the Missouri offensive line. The 6’5, 319-pound graduate student has made 26 consecutive starts and has played in 37 career games. Missouri may want to stretch the field with Burden III, Wease, and Jackson. That will require ample pocket time for the quarterback to throw the football downfield. Thus, tackles are vital to Mizzou’s offensive success in terms of ability, experience, and leadership.

DEFENSE

Missouri took massive defensive strides last season. 2021 was an absolute mess under coordinator Steve Wilks who went on to coach the Carolina Panthers. A mandatory play caller change resulted in Blake Baker being named to the position. It turns out that the hire was a hit. Baker led the Tigers to a defensive resurgence in a hurry. UM saw a 9-point drop in points allowed to go along with a 100+yard improvement vs. the run. In all, the Tigers allowed 90 fewer yards per game. Mizzou returns nine starters and several contributors, which could spell for even more statistical upgrades. I like this Mizzou defense. It is filled with playmakers and experienced defenders that have a new sense of confidence under Baker. 

Linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper quarterbacks the Missouri defense. The active defender simply makes plays all over the field and should be named to preseason all-conference honors. Defensive tackle Darius Robinson backed out of entering the NFL Draft and should be one of the top defensive linemen in the league. 

The Missouri secondary is a strength. It is filled with veteran players with proven production. 5’11, 180-pound cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine recorded 15 pass breakups last season and is considered one of the SEC’s top lockdown defenders. He’s joined by Ennis Rakeshaw to construct an experienced and robust combination. Rakeshaw registered 12 pass breakups after returning from a 2021 injury to start all 13 games last season. 

Best Defensive Player: Linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper

The 6’2, 221-pound linebacker made 12 starts in 2022. A Florida transfer, Hopper recorded 77 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 6 QB hurries, 2.5 QB sacks, and an interception last season. Hopper is an active and aggressive defender that can chase ball carriers from sideline to sideline. He can also force action across the line of scrimmage, which can be seen in his 2022 TFL production. Hopper has also proven to be a prominent pass rusher. 

Most Important Defensive Player: Defensive Tackle Darius Robinson 

Robinson is a 6’5, 296-pound graduate student who anchors the Tiger’s defensive front. He saw action in all 13 games in 2022, including 10 starts. Robinson registered 31 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 QB sacks, 19 QB pressures, and 3 QB hurries. The super-senior was relegated to the bench early in the year but fought his way back into the starting lineup. Robinson is an NFL prospect and is mentioned as a defensive lineman that has the potential to play at an All-SEC level. 

2023 Schedule Overview

Missouri opens with three non-conference home games that include South Dakota, Middle Tennessee, and Kansas State. A matchup with Memphis in St Louis is an innovative concept given that the Tiger’s recruiting emphasis is in that area. 

Conference play offers home games against LSU, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida. Columbia is an odd, out-of-the-way SEC city. Strange things seem to happen there on an annual basis. Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field doesn’t exactly project SEC vibes. It’s one of the quieter stadiums in the league. At times, it’s flat out sleepy. Perhaps that’s why the Tigers have suffered home upsets in the past.

Mizzou’s in-league road trips are to Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Georgia, and Arkansas. So, not an impossible road slate outside a trip to Athens. I say that, but the Tigers had the Dawgs on the ropes a year ago before eventually falling 26-22. Mizzou truly should have knocked off the defending champions but lost in heartbreaking fashion. Unfortunately, that’s been a pattern for Drinkwitz. 

2023 PREDICTION: SEC East, 6th

What Does All This Mean? 

Are the Tigers close or are they stuck in a perpetual cycle of mediocrity? That’s the five-million-dollar question going into 2023. Mizzou bosses apparently think that Drinkwitz is close competing in the East after increasing the head coach’s salary and adding years onto his contract. Despite having a talented group of receivers, I don’t see a difference-maker at quarterback.  That is a problem in the modern-day SEC. Winning games in 2023 could come down to an upper-level defense and a special teams unit that excels in returns. Again, unless there is tremendous QB development and improvement, I can’t foresee Missouri succeeding in shootout fashion. 

Missouri is a program of many surprises. The Tigers took the SEC off guard by winning East titles in their first years in the league. Quite a shocking result that can now be perceived as fool’s gold. 2022 saw UM win at South Carolina (23-10) and at Arkansas (29-27). The Tigers should have defeated the unbeatable Georgia Bulldogs before losing late. But, 6-7 is 6-7. This is a big year for Eli Drinkwitz and the Missouri Tigers.