Countdown to Kickoff Day 4: #47 Missouri Tigers

Over the past four seasons Missouri has been impressively mediocre…and I truly mean that. Missouri went 6-6 in 2019, 5-5 in 2020, 6-6 in 2021, and 6-6 last year. Be careful when you ask for change from mediocre in the SEC where it can easily go the other way when playing the best teams in college football year in and year out. BUT change is exactly what we might see this year from this Tigers team.

Why so Mid? Last year they had a solid defense and will be returning most of their playmakers on that side of the ball. Those guys will be stronger, faster, and more comfortable when lining up this year. The issue was their seemingly incompetent offense against in-conference opponents, averaging only 18 points per game. That must change if Eli Drinkwitz's squad wants to make any noise this year in the SEC East. The good news is, I think there is a solid chance the Mizzou offensive could prove the haters wrong and the Tigers find themselves above average in the win/loss category for the first time since the 2018 season.

Here’s why: We will most likely be seeing Brady Cook under center when the Tigers take the field against South Dakota in Week 1. Cook has been criticized by the Missouri faithful for being “average,” but the reality is he has been improving and will show improvement this year as well. In the last month of the season, Cook threw for 8 touchdowns and not a single interception against high level opponents in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas. If anything, that is a confidence builder headed into this season for Cook, knowing he can compete and compete well at the highest level of college football. If the Tigers can get that kind of play from their leader, they will be the surprise team of the SEC this year with their defense returning 8 of their starters, and with playmakers like Luther Burden, Theo Wease and Dannis Jackson in the receiver room.

Other QB options: Even if Brady Cook isn’t the QB that Kirby Moore and Drinkwitz choose to lead the offense, they aren’t short of options that's for sure. Jake Garcia, a transfer from Miami, and redshirt freshman Sam Horn, are both former four-star recruits eager for opportunities and are full of talent. There are worse positions to be in than the Missouri offense is in right now, trust me (UVA fan).

Prediction: 7-5…BUTTT they have LSU, Tennessee, and South Carolina at home this year. All three of those teams are obviously stronger than Missouri but, as we know, anything can happen on any given Saturday. If they can steal one of those games they go 8-4.