Missouri is a hard football team to predict this season. In 2022, they were a 6-7 team that lost four games by one score. They return over 70 percent of their production from a year ago as well. However, they lost some games in an impressive fashion, to the point where it’s hard to feel confident in them finishing out games. However, Eli Drinkwitz may have some tricks up his sleeve for Mizzou Football this season, because if not then he could be looking for a new job in 2024.
Three Hot Takes for Mizzou Football
Hot Take #1: Luther Burden is a Biletnikoff finalist
To the average Tiger fan, this may not seem like a super steamy take. Mizzou fans saw up and close how dynamic Luther Burden is with the football. The rest of the country, however, has not yet become wise to the type of talent Burden has. Dominic Lovett tallied over 1,000 yards from the slot last season for Missouri on an offense that struggled to do much of anything. Insert a healthy quarterback, improved offensive line, and new offensive coordinator into the equation while Burden returns to his natural slot position, and the true sophomore could be due for a monster season.
In Burden’s freshman year was nothing to scoff at. He totaled 45 catches for 375 yards and six touchdowns. While he also added two rushing touchdowns and one score on a punt return. Burden weighed in this season almost 15 pounds heavier than last year, meaning he will be even harder to bring down. If the changes Mizzou made on offense are for the better, Burden could be winning some hardware this season.
Hot Take #2: Missouri’s defense is the best in the SEC
The Missouri Tiger defense was extremely disruptive in 2022, and they return eight starters in 2023. Mizzou is home to one of the best linebacker duos in Ty’Ron Hopper and Chad Bailey, meanwhile Ennis Rakestraw and Kris Abrams-Draine make up an elite cornerback duo. Joseph Charleston and Daylan Carnell are also one of the more physical safety duos in college football this season. Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker had another offseason to get his players used to his scheme and the returning experience will help Missouri develop their young talent as well.
This isn’t a hot take because people expect Missouri’s defense to be bad, but rather because they share a conference with Georgia, Alabama, and LSU, who all regularly field elite defenses. Mizzou will have their work cut out for them to be the best defense in its conference, but the star power is there. With Georgia and LSU on their schedule, they will have the chance to prove it.
Hot take #3: The Missouri Tigers go 11-2 and win a bowl game
While the first two takes on this feel somewhat realistic, this take is the one that most football fans will disagree with. However unlikely this result may be, it isn’t impossible. Missouri has had at least 11 wins twice in the SEC, in 2013 and 2014 when they won back-to-back SEC East titles. A lot will have to go right for Mizzou, especially on offense. The quarterback battle is expected to continue through the first two weeks of the season, and it will likely be that battle that dictates how the Tigers will fare this season.
As mentioned, the Tigers have the defense to win 10 games. The offense is the main question mark. The wide receiver spot is flooded with talent, there are playmakers at running back, and new offensive line coach Brandon Jones has done a great job at beefing up Mizzou in the trenches. The only mystery for Mizzou comes in the most important position: quarterback. Missouri seems to be deciding between Brady Cook and Sam Horn. Cook is more experienced and commands great respect from the locker room for his leadership and toughness. Horn counters with elite arm talent and intriguing athleticism. Whoever wins the battle, he will have the tools all over the field to lead Missouri to 10-plus wins.
