Mizzou Football (3-2, 0-2 SEC) will make its maiden voyage to Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa this Saturday as it will face No. 1 Alabama at 6 p.m. (CT) on ESPN. Steve Levy, Brian Griese and Todd McShay have the call and the game will also air on the Tiger Radio Network with Mike Kelly, Howard Richards and Chris Gervino providing the commentary.
ALL-TIME SERIES WITH THE TIDE
Mizzou and Alabama have met five times dating back to the 1968 Gator Bowl. The Crimson Tide hold a slight 3-2 edge in the all-time series but have won the last three meetings, including the 2014 SEC Championship Game in Atlanta, which was the last meeting between the two teams. Alabama won that game, 42-13, on its way to a berth in College Football Playoff.
Mizzou won the first two meetings between the two storied programs, first coming in 1968, a 35-10 Gator Bowl triumph in Jacksonville. Mizzou then went on the road to Birmingham in 1975 and Al Onofrio's Tigers earned a 20-7 win. Alabama then came to Columbia in 1978 for a top-15 matchup. The top-ranked Tide edged Warren Powers' 11th-ranked Tigers, 38-20, in that game.
Mizzou and Alabama have met twice since Mizzou joined the SEC. The first meeting came in 2012 when Alabama earned a 42-10 win on a rainy, stormy afternoon at Memorial Stadium. The only other meeting was the 2014 SEC Championship game after Mizzou claimed the second of back-to-back SEC East titles.
RECAPPING LAST TIME OUT
Mizzou dropped a heart-breaker at South Carolina last Saturday, 37-35, on a last-second field goal by SC kicker Parker White from 33 yards out. Mizzou junior kicker Tucker McCann hit a go-ahead 57-yard FG with 1:18 remaining, the second-longest kick in school history, before Carolina marched the field for the game-winning kick. Mizzou led 23-14 at the half as it was the first game that head coach Barry Odom has lost in his career when leading at the half. A rain storm hampered play for the entirety of the third quarter, forcing sloppy play from both side as the Gamecocks used 17 straight points in that frame to get back in the game. Mizzou then used a pair of special teams plays to regain momentum before taking the lead late on McCann's FG. But that was not enough to hold off the Gamecocks who went 53 yards on nine plays over the final drive to seal the win.
Mizzou rushed for a season-high 286 yards, its most since Nov. 11, 2017, when it ran for 433 vs. Tennessee. The 286 yards were the most allowed by South Carolina on the ground since Georgia ran for 326 in a 28-14 win at Williams-Brice on Oct. 9, 2016.
Mizzou played last week without the services of two starting wideouts, including the team's top receiving threat Emanuel Hall (18 catches, 430 yards, three TDs) and lost starting slot receiver Johntahon Johnson to cramps midway through the game as senior QB Drew Lock was without his top three wide receivers.
Mizzou also was dominant in stopping the ground game, limiting the Gamecocks to only 128 yards on 47 attempts (2.7 avg.). It was the second-fewest rushing yards for Carolina in a game this season.
ALABAMA VS. ARKANSAS RECAP
Top-ranked Alabama is coming off a 65-31 win at Arkansas last Saturday. Alabama had 639 yards of total offense, including 393 through the air as QB Tua Tagovailoa completed 10-of-13 passes for an unbelievable 334 yards and four TDs. That's good for an average of 33.4 per receptions and 25.7 per pass attempt.
GROUND GAME GETTING GOING
Mizzou's ground game has arguably been the catalyst for Mizzou over the course of this season, but especially since senior WR Emanuel Hall suffered an injury to slow Mizzou's vertical passing attack. In fact, Mizzou is coming off a season-high 286 rushing yards last time out at South Carolina. That was the top mark in a road game for Mizzou since Nov. 19, 2016, when it hung 420 at Tennessee. Mizzou averaged 6.22 yards per carry last weekend, the best mark since Nov. 11, 2017, against Tennessee (8.17).
Looking deeper into the numbers, Mizzou's passing game often gets much of the praise for the offensive success that is has had as of late, but the numbers suggest that it is the ground game that has been as much of a catalyst as the air attack. In fact, over the last two season (2017 and five games into 2018), Mizzou has averaged 5.1 yards per carry (3,574 on 705 attempts). For perspective, 5.1 yard per carry would have ranked 24th nationally a season ago.
All three TDs that Mizzou scored last week at South Carolina came on the ground and against Georgia in the previous game, Mizzou scored four rushing touchdowns, its most since Nov. 19, 2016, at Tennessee. Those four rushing TDs were scored by four different players - freshman RB Tyler Badie, junior RB Damarea Crockett, senior QB Drew Lock and sophomore RB Larry Rountree III. It was the first time that Mizzou had four different players score rushing TDs since the 2013 season opener when Henry Josey, Russell Hansbrough, Morgan Steward and Marcus Murphy all scored on the ground in a 38-13 win over Murray State. It was the first time Mizzou has accomplished that feat against an FBS team since Nov. 27, 2010, when Kendial Lawrence, De'Vion Moore, Blaine Gabbert and T.J. Moe did so in a 35-7 win over Kansas at Arrowhead Stadium.
LIMITING THE GROUND GAME
While Mizzou has been great running the football on offense, it has been dynamite at stopping the run this season. Last weekend at South Carolina, Mizzou limited the Gamecocks to just 128 yards (2.7 avg.). The Tigers rank 15th nationally and second in the SEC, allowing just 107.4 yards per game on the ground.
That strong rush defense continues a trend that started last season. Since the beginning of the 2017 season, Mizzou is allowing just 3.8 yards per carry (2,612 yards on 683 attempts). Since allowing eventual national runner-up Georgia to rush for 370 on Oct. 14 a year ago, Mizzou has allowed just 1,275 yards on 441 carries over its last 12 games (2.89 average). For perspective, that 2.89 average would rank 10th nationally this season. It is no surprise that Mizzou has posted a 9-3 record in that span.
LOCK LIVES AMONG SEC'S GREATNESS
Mizzou senior QB Drew Lock's three TD tosses at Purdue moved him into sole possession of sixth place all-time among SEC quarterbacks with 82 career passing TDs. He enters Saturday's game at Alabama just six shy of tying Florida's Tim Tebow (2006-09) and Chris Leak (2003-06) who both had 88 in their careers. Below is a list:
Additionally, Lock now has 10,182 career passing yards, meaning he is just the 112th quarterback in college football history to do so. Only nine SEC quarterbacks have ever thrown for more than 10,000 yards in a career and before Lock, the last to do so was Georgia's Aaron Murray in 2013. Below is a list:
Among active FBS quarterbacks, Lock is fourth with his 10,182 career passing yards. Only Boise State's Brett Rypien (11,435), Washington's Jake Browning (10,612) and Middle Tennessee's Brent Stockstill (10,250) rank ahead of Lock.
Lock is just the second Mizzou QB to toss for more than 10,000 yards, trailing only 2007 Heisman finalist Chase Daniel, who holds the school record of 12,515 from 2005-09. That, by the way, ranks 26th in FBS history.
Lock now has 28 career games with 200+ passing yards, second in school history.
Lock has thrown for 200+ yards in 23 of his last 24 games, including 15 straight.
With 375 yards at Purdue, Lock now has 12 career 300-yard games, second in school history behind only Daniel (20).
Lock registered his 10th career game with four or more TDs vs. Wyoming - he has eight such games in his last 12.
Lock now has 41 career TD passes of 20+ yards, the most in school history.
LINEBACKERS WITH DOMINANT OUTING
Mizzou returned three veteran starters at the linebacker position this season and through five games, those three players have not disappointed. Those three standouts - seniors Terez Hall (weakside) and Brandon Lee (strongside) and junior Cale Garrett (middle) - put together a dominant outing last weekend at South Carolina.
Highlighted by Hall's game-high 11 tackles, the trio combined for 26 total tackles, 1.0 sack, 4.5 tackles for loss (20 lost yards) and four quarterback hurries as the trio stuffed up the stat sheet.
Hall had the group's sack, a nine-yard loss, to go along with a career-high 3.0 tackles for loss.
Garrett posted eight tackles, a half tackle for loss and chipped in a career-high four QB hurries.
Lee posted a season-high seven tackles with 1.0 TFL as well.
Those three players combined for 33 percent of the team's total tackles last week, 45 percent of the team's tackles for loss and 40 percent of the team's QB pressures.
D-LINE SHINES ON THE INTERIOR
Mizzou's linebacking group was not the only group of defenders that had a standout performance last Saturday at South Carolina. Mizzou's interior linemen were disruptive all day against the Gamecock front, dominating in the trenches. The DT group of Terry Beckner, Jr., Walter Palmore, Jordan Elliott, Kobie Whiteside and Rashad Brandon filled up the stat sheet.
Mizzou typically rotates those five players throughout the game and results paid dividends Saturday. Those five players combined for 14 total tackles, including 4.5 tackles for a loss of 11 yards and two pass breakups.
Both Palmore and Elliott turned in career-best outings with five tackles apiece. Elliott had 1.5 TFLs to lead the group while Palmore added one more and nearly had a game-winning interception late in the game on a blown up screen play as he dropped into coverage.
McCANN WITH IMPRESSIVE OUTING
One cannot talk about last weekend's contest without bringing up the contributions of Mizzou junior K Tucker McCann. He connected on 5-of-6 field goals, including the second-longest kick in school history from 57 yards out with 1:18 to play. His only miss came in a torrential downpour in the third quarter.
McCann is the first Mizzou K to make five field goals in a game since Andrew Baggett made five vs. Florida on Oct. 19, 2013, matching the school record. McCann Baggett and Jeff Jacke (vs. Kansas in 1992) are the only kickers in school history to connect on five FGs in a single game. Add in the fact that he made the second-longest FG in school history, and it was arguably one of the greatest kicking performances in school history.
McCann is the first kicker at Mizzou to attempt six FGs in a game since Tom Whelihan kicked seven against Oklahoma State on Nov. 16, 1985.
McCann leads the SEC and ranks seventh nationally with his 11.6 points per game average. His 2.60 FGs per game lead the SEC and rank second nationally.
ALL-PURPOSE BADIE
Mizzou true freshman RB Tyler Badie has been turning heads with his play over Mizzou's last three games. The Memphis, Tenn., native is now averaging 88.3 all-purpose yards per game this season after posting 103 at South Carolina last time out.
Badie is seventh nationally among all true freshman (fifth in Power 5) in all-purpose yards per game. His 88.2 average is also best among SEC freshmen. Below is a breakdown:
Over his last three games, the freshman tailback is averaging 114.7 all-purpose yards. He scored his first collegiate touchdown against Georgia as part of a career-best 142 all-purpose yards.
Mizzou's coaches have showed great trust in him late in games as well, specifically at Purdue. He came into the game for the final drive as Mizzou used the final 3:37 to go 68 yards over 10 plays for the game-winning FG as time expired. Badie accounted for 46 of those 68 yards.
TACKLES FOR LOSS
Mizzou is coming off of a season-best performance when it comes to forcing negative plays last time out vs. South Carolina. The Tigers had 10.0 tackles for loss against the Gamecocks, their most since posting 11.0 in last year's Texas Bowl. It was Mizzou's most against an SEC opponent since Nov. 25, 2016, in a 28-24 win over Arkansas. It was the most for Mizzou in an SEC road game since Nov. 22, 2014, when it had 12 in a 29-21 win at Tennessee.
OFFENSIVE LINE GETTING IT DONE AGAIN
Coming into the season, a perceived area of strength for Mizzou was its massive, physical offensive line that returned all five starters from its record breaking group. Over the last two years, the group turned in the best marks in college football history when it came to preventing negative plays. So far this year, not much has changed. Mizzou is second in the SEC (ninth nationally) in sacks allowed, averaging just 0.80 per game. Mizzou has also surrendered just 21 negative plays through five games, the SEC's fourth-best mark (15th nationally).
OFFENSE SUSTAINING DRIVES
On the year, Mizzou has amassed 139 total first downs, registering at least 23 in all five contents this season. Mizzou ranks fourth in the SEC and 24th nationally with its 139 first downs through five games. With at least 23 first downs in all five games, it is important to note that Mizzou accomplished that feat just seven times a year ago as this year's offense appears to be a stark contrast from last year's run-and-gun style. This year Tigers are taking a much more methodical approach to offense.
That methodical approach under first-year OC Derek Dooley is also evident in time of possession. Mizzou is holding the ball for an average of 31:37 this season, the SEC's third-best mark (36th nationally). Last year, Mizzou held the ball for an average of 25:01 per game, second-lowest in FBS as Mizzou has engineered one of the nation's most impressive turn-arounds in that category.
One of the keys to that is limiting the opposition's first downs. Mizzou has allowed just 87 first downs all season, the SEC's third-best mark (20th nationally). Mizzou has had more first downs than its opponent in every game this season and is allowing just 18 per game in two SEC contests.
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BALL
In the fourth quarter of Mizzou's last game at South Carolina, Mizzou junior LB Jake Trump recovered a fumble on a botched punt to give the ball back to Mizzou at a key juncture in that game. That play continued an impressive streak for the Mizzou defense as the Tigers have now forced a turnover in 13 consecutive regular season games, dating back to Oct. 10, 2017, at Kentucky.
In those 13 games, Mizzou is 9-4 overall, as turnovers have been a key to the Tigers' improved play on defense.
THREE-HEADED MONSTER AT RUNNING BACK
Mizzou has featured an impressive stable of running backs this season in junior Damara Crockett, sophomore Larry Rountree III, and true freshman phenom Tyler Badie.
On the year, the three have combined for 970 rushing yards through five games, doing so on just 190 carries as the trio is averaging 5.11 yards per carry this season.
Crockett is the latest Tiger to rush for more than 100 yards, going for 154 and a score last time out at South Carolina.
The three backs give Mizzou different looks as well. Crockett is the most elusive while Rountree is the more physical, downhill runner of the group. Badie has been the all-purpose type back that Mizzou's offense has been searching for since the departure of All-American Marcus Murphy following the 2014 season. Badie has been used in a variety of different spots as he is the group's most dangerous option in the passing game.
ALL-TIME RECORD vs. NO. 1
As Mizzou comes into Saturday's game, it marks the first time that the team will play a No. 1 ranked team since 2014 when it played Alabama in the SEC title game. In fact, the last two times Mizzou played the nation's top-ranked team were both against the Tide.
Mizzou is 0-14 all-time against the No. 1 team in the nation. Three of those games were against Alabama (1978, 2012, 2014).
