Mizzou football vs. Tennessee: Five things to know before Tigers’ next SEC game
After dropping two spots in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, the No. 14 Missouri Tigers face another tough SEC test this week.
Mizzou held its own against the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs last week, but two fourth-quarter interceptions from Tigers QB Brady Cook helped keep the Bulldogs’ undefeated season alive. Now, coming off that loss, the Tigers return to Faurot Field to host the No. 13 Tennessee Volunteers.
The Vols moved up in this week’s CFP ranking, jumping up from No. 17 following a blowout 59-3 win over UConn in Knoxville.
Both teams enter this week’s matchup at 7-2 (3-2 SEC) and tied for the second behind Georgia in the SEC East. Here’s what you need to know before this week’s SEC matchup...
Mizzou football vs. Tennessee game details
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11
Where: Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field (Columbia)
TV: CBS
Radio: Tiger Radio Network
Early betting line: Tennessee is a 1.5-point favorite. The over/under is set at 58.5.
Five things to know: Mizzou vs. Tennessee
Will Missouri’s WR group be at full strength? Star wideout Luther Burden III is questionable for Saturday’s matchup, head coach Eli Drinkwitz said in a Tuesday presser. He’s been listed that way in previous weeks while still playing. But without Burden, the Tigers would be without a WR who falls in the top 10 in the country (and top 3 in the SEC) in receiving yards. DL Realus George Jr. is also listed as questionable, and QB Brady Cook and RB Cody Schrader appeared on the inury report as probable for Saturday.
Saturday is the first top-15 matchup at Faurot Field since 2010. Last time Mizzou fans saw a top-15 matchup at home was the 2010 Oklahoma matchup. Led by QB Blaine Gabbert and WR Jerrell Jackson, the then-No. 11 (BCS standings) Tigers stunned BCS No. 1 Oklahoma 36-27.
Tennessee holds a four-game win streak over the Tigers. Mizzou hasn’t gotten a win over Tennessee since the 50-17 win in Knoxville in 2018, and the Tigers haven’t beat the Vols at home since the year prior in another 50-17 contest. Drew Lock quarterbacked both those wins.
Tennessee’s run game is one of the best in the country. The Vols are averaging 227.8 rushing yards per game, the third most in college football. The Vols’ run game is led by RB Jaylen Wright, who has 826 rushing yards (third in the SEC). That said, Mizzou’s defense has held up well against the run; the Tigers rank 5th in the SEC (and 26th in the country) in rushing yards allowed per game (114.1).
Mizzou QB Brady Cook matches up well against this Vols pass defense. The Vols rank 56th in the country in passing yards allowed per game at 222.2, whereas the Tigers rank 24th nationally in passing yards per game. Cook has been confident and dynamic this season. He has 21 total touchdowns to only five interceptions. Also notable: Kentucky’s Devin Leary threw for 372 yards and two touchdowns against Tennessee. MU held him to 120 yards with 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions.
