Wyoming Non-Conference Preview: Missouri Tigers
The Cowboys travel to SEC country for the first time since 2008
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Can Wyoming Notch A 3rd Straight Road Win Against An SEC Opponent?
Location: Memorial Stadium (71,168), Columbia, Mo.
Mascot: Tigers
Conference: SEC
2017 Record: 7-6 (4-4 SEC East)
Head Coach: Barry Odom (11-14 Missouri, 11-14 overall) is entering his third season at Missouri. After a tough 4-8 first season in charge, the Tigers earned an invitation to the Texas Bowl last season.
Key Players:
QB Drew Lock
This quarterback has drawn comparisons to former Wyoming signal caller Josh Allen. Lock can make every throw but finished last season with a 57.8% completion percentage. He has potential to be a first-round selection in next seasons draft and set a school record with 44 TD’s last season.
TE Albert Okwuegbunam
Last year as a freshman, Okwuegbunam led Mizzou in receiving TD’s with 11 and made 2nd team All-SEC. At 6’5” 260, he was also able to gain 14.3 yards per catch. With the loss of 2nd team All-SEC WR J’Mon Moore, Okwuegbunam should be able to easily top his 29 receptions from a season ago.
LB Cale Garrett
Overview:
Offense
The Tigers offense should be one of the better units in college football during the 2018 campaign. Lock and WR Emanuel Hall should be one of the top tandems in the nation.
As last season’s offensive coordinator Josh Heupel accepted the head coaching position at UCF, it will be interesting to see what Derek Dooley can do with this group. The Tigers have 9 returning starters so a lack of talent will not be a problem for Mizzou.
Defense
Missouri is returning 7 starters including all 3 of their starting linebackers from last season but they allowed 31.8 points/game. LB Terez Hall had 11.5 tackles for loss and DT Terry Beckner had 7 sacks. The Tigers have the individual pieces, their question will be how well they play together in 2018.
Early Prediction
While I think this is the best Wyoming team in many years, the Pokes have struggled against Power 5 programs. Wyoming’s defense will make the game tough for the potent Mizzou offense throughout the first half but the depth of the Tigers will eventually show after halftime. The Cowboys will struggle offensively and Missouri will finish with a 31-16 victory.
