LSU Opponent Preview 2023: Missouri

Last time Missouri and LSU faced one another it was the start of the end of the Ed Orgeron era in Baton Rouge. Mizzou beat LSU 45-41 in Columbia, scoring at will and putting LSU on the trajectory of a .500 season. Fortunately for fans in Baton Rouge, this is a very different LSU team, led by Brian Kelly and entering as one of the favorites to win the SEC.

Missouri and LSU meet on Oct. 7 in Columbia in week six of the season, marking LSU’s fourth SEC game of the season and first game against an SEC East opponent. We continue our schedule preview series today with the Tigers from up north and how they look heading into 2023.

Head coach: Eli Drinkwitz (4th season)

Offensive coordinator: Kirby Moore (1st season)

Defensive coordinator: Blake Baker (2nd season)

Last year

Missouri snuck into a bowl game last year at 6-6 in the regular season with some tight wins, but lost to Wake Forest in the Gasparilla Bowl to fall to 6-7 on the season. In three seasons with Drinkowitz as head coach, Missouri now has a 17-17 record in the regular season and an 11-15 record in the SEC.

The wins over Tennessee and South Carolina were the two highlights of the season, and remember when the Tigers pushed Georgia to the brink before losing 26-22?

Offense

It was a disappointing year for Missouri, who had been an impressive offensive team under Drinkwitz in the first two years. Only averaging 24.6 points, 370 yards, and 5.43 yards per play, the Tigers ranked outside of the top 75 in both rush and pass EPA last year.

Quarterback Brady Cook only managed 14 touchdowns through the air and just 7.2 yards per attempt, while attempting nearly 30 passes per game. He was somewhat effective on the ground, with 4.2 yards per carry on 139 rushes. Luther Burden is an exciting young player while Dominic Lovett was the top receiver and he’s now at Georgia.

Defense

The Tigers’ defense kept it in most games, allowing 28 points only twice last year. The efforts against Georgia, South Carolina, and Arkansas were especially impressive from the defense. They ended the year 25th in defensive EPA per play, 34th in yards allowed per game, and 34th in 3rd down defense. Their defense against the run was especially impressive.

Defensive lineman Isaiah McGuire was named to the All-SEC second-team defense

Offseason moves

Notable departures

Drafted: DL Isaiah McGuire (126 Overall, round 4)

Transferred: WR Dominic Lovett, OT Hyrin White, DE Travion Ford, CB Marcus Scott, OT Luke Griffin, DE Arden Walker, RB Elijah Young, LB Zachary Lovett, DE Trajan Jeffcoat, WR Tauskie Dove.

The amount of defensive line departures is notable, while Lovett is by far the most impactful player to leave. With one player drafted and seven players leaving for other P5 schools, it will be interesting to see if Missouri feels the loss of talent or if its natural attrition in today’s college football landscape.

Additions

2023 Freshmen: TE Brett Norfleet, WR Joshua Manning, QB Gabarri Johnson, S Marvin Burks, WR Marquis Johnson

Transfers: WR Theo Wase, QB Jake Garcia, WR Dannis Jackson, DE Joe Moore, S Tre’Vez Johnson, DL Austin Firestone, CB Marcus Clarke, OT Cam’Ron Johnson.

With seven transfers coming in form P5 schools, it’s a good group that replaces the departures. Drinkwitz needs better depth at the skill positions to supplement losing Lovett and I like the depth at those spots with a quality signing class and transfer class.

Going into 2023

Top returners: WR Luther Burden, RB Cody Schrader, LB Ty’Ron Harper, CB Ennis Rakestraw, S Jaylon Carlies.

In the big picture, Missouri is one of the teams in the SEC with the lowest amount of turnover from the portal. The Tigers return several of the top defensive players from a very good defense and can certainly enter this season with the expectations of being a top 25 defense in the country.

On offense, it will take some creativity to avoid a second straight lackluster season, but at this point, Drinkwitz should be able to construct a competent offense with Burden as the lead target. 

Expectations

South Dakota, Middle Tennessee, Kansas State, and Memphis make up a pretty challenging non-conference schedule, but its four games where the Tigers should be favored (depending on how K-State looks early on). LSU, Tennessee, and Georgia are likely losses, but other than that, Missouri should be in position to beat Vanderbily, then compete with Kentucky, Florida, South Carolina, and Arkansas. Win two of those four and it’s a seven-win season for Drinkwitz, which would mark the best season since 2018.

Early LSU vs. Missouri game preview

I’m going to be interested to see how LSU’s offense attacks this Missouri defense. There’s a concern that Missouri can turn this game ugly at home, which it did successfully against Georgia last year. On the other side, any team with a receiver like Burden is capable of making something special happen.

I’m concerned this will be a lower scoring game, but I think the Tigers will still get the win.