SEC Football Snapshots: Missouri Tigers have clear path to the playoffs
We're previewing each team in the SEC entering the 2024 college football season. In our last preview, we broke down the LSU Tigers. Now we look at another one of the SEC's Tigers.
The Missouri Tigers had a breakout season in 2023 under Eliah Drinkwitz, going 11-2 with a Cotton Bowl victory. And the expectations are for Mizzou to pick up right where they left off.
Examining the Missouri Tigers' offense
Missouri had its best offensive season in five years in '23 with 32.5 points and 434 yards per game. They lose the focal point of that offense this year, as stud RB Cody Schrader and his 1600 rushing yards depart. But even without Schrader, the pieces are there for Mizzou the field one of the SEC's best offenses.
QB Brady Cook returns after a good year distributing the ball to the Tigers' high-level skill talent. Amongst that talent was arguably the SEC's best WR in Luther Burden (86 REC, 1212 YDs, 9 TDs). Burden is back, as is his counterpart Theo Wease and every other meaningful pass-catcher from '23.
To replace Schrader, MU brought in a pair of Sun Belt-transfer RBs in Marcus Carroll and Nate Noel, both of whom were highly productive. They'll make up for the lost rushing yardage behind a veteran OL that returns three starters and added a pair of highly-touted transfers.
Examining the Missouri Tigers' defense
Mizzou also fielded its best defense of the Eliah Drinkwitz-era, yielding 21 PPG. The losses are more significant on this side of the ball, however. For starters, DC Blake Baker is now at LSU. And the leaders of each position group have departed.
Top pass rusher and 1st round pick Darius Robinson is gone up front, and their overall DL depth took a hit. Fellow DE Jonny Walker does return after a productive season, though, and they get back a starting DT in Kristian Williams. Transfers Zion Young and Chris McClellan will need to make up for the lost production.
Ty'Ron Hopper is a significant loss at LB, but that position should be the strength of the defense. Injuries led both Triston Newson and Chuck Hicks into starting roles last season, and they played well. Miami-transfer Corey Flagg was a big addition.
The biggest losses are in the secondary. Three starters are gone, including both CBs. Daylan Carnell is one of the better nickels in the SEC, and FS Joseph Charleston gives them a veteran on the backend. Clemson-transfer CB Toriano Pride will help, but they're likely to take a step back.
Thoughts on the Missouri Tigers entering 2024
Things set up nicely for Mizzou to have another great year. The offense remains loaded even without Cody Schrader. The defense likely slips some, but there are still enough pieces in place for a good group. This will once again be a strong team, and their schedule could not be more favorable.
The non-conference slate is a cakewalk, and they play four of the SEC's projected bottom-five teams. Alabama is the only SEC contender on the schedule, and their next two toughest games, at Texas A&M and home vs Oklahoma, happen after bye weeks.
If the Tigers are anywhere close to what they were in '23, and the returning production suggests they will be, they should roll through the schedule. The lone concern is that the lack of quality opponents gives them little margin for error when it comes to forming a playoff resume. But if this team wins 10 again, they're probably in the playoff.