Nov 3, 2018; Gainesville, FL, USA; Missouri Tigers linebacker Cale Garrett (47) and Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Akial Byers (97) tackle Florida Gators running back Lamical Perine (22) during the first quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
LOCATION: Columbia, Mo.
COACH: Barry Odom — At Missouri and overall: 19-19, 3 years
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Derek Dooley
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Ryan Walters
LAST LEAGUE TITLE: 1969, Big 8 co-champions
LAST TIME DIDN’T GO BOWLING: 2016
RETURNING STARTERS: 14; 7 offense, 6 defense, kicker
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Kelly Bryant, RB Larry Rountree III, RG Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms, TE Albert Okwuegbunam, DT Jordan Elliott, LB Cale Garrett, CB DeMarkus Acy, CB Christian Holmes
PRIMARY STRENGTHS: Bryant is surrounded by proven playmakers at running back, receiver and tight end and will play behind a strong offensive line. The CB tandem of Holmes and Acy were among the SEC’s most disruptive in 2018. The defense should be strong up the middle with Elliott and Garrett.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: There’s not much established depth at quarterback and running back. Who provides the pass rush off the edge? The special teams struggled in almost every area last year and now must replace a four-year punter.
OVERVIEW
Bryant gives the offense a credible dual threat and a fresh dynamic after four years of Drew Lock, a prototypical pocket passer. The defense needs to play better from the season’s start to avoid the early struggles that have plagued the past couple of years. With more competent special teams, the Tigers have the talent, experience and the schedule to be a contender in the East, even with the uncertainty of the NCAA sanctions hovering over the program.
TOP NEWCOMER
QB Kelly Bryant: After winning 16 of his 18 starts at Clemson, the senior took advantage of the graduate transfer rule and left the ACC last fall when he lost his starting job to freshman Trevor Lawrence. Bryant’s career completion percentage of 66.2 is better than any single-season percentage Drew Lock produced as MU’s four-year starter. Mizzou instantly named Bryant its starter.
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