texas takes on the tigers: Texas at missouri game preview

Starting the Saturday slate for the SEC, the 7-ranked 6-2 (3-2 SEC) Texas Longhorns head to Columbia, MO, to face the 18-ranked 6-2 (3-2 SEC) Missouri Tigers.

This SEC matchup is slated to be a pivotal shootout. With Texas sitting at 5th in the conference, Mizzou has the capability to knock Texas out of the top 10 in both the conference and the country.

Texas is by no means clinging to playoff hopes; however, if the Tigers can pull off the upset at home, it could continue to further shake up the College Football Playoff rankings. 

The visiting Longhorns are led by star QB Arch Manning, who, by most measures, is underperforming this season with only 1,727 passing yards and a 64.8% completion percentage,15 passing TDs, and a measly QBR of 56. In addition to Mannings struggles, the Longhorns' ground game production has also been subpar for SEC standards. This Texas offense has not been playing well.

RB Raleek Brown only has 452 yards on 92 attempts for an average of 4.9 yards per carry. Also, the Longhorns are down an RB in their backfield due to Hollywood Smothers sustaining a season-ending MCL tear.  On top of that, the Longhorns could be at a disadvantage because starting WR Ryan Wingo is a game-time decision due to a quadriceps injury. He has 36 receptions for 470 yards and 4 TDs. 

However, the Longhorns' defense is where they can thrive this game. Coming into this week, they are nationally ranked 10th in yards per game at 273.1. On top of that, they are ranked in the top 3 in the SEC, so the Tigers are going to have a challenge nonetheless. Leading the team in sacks is EDGE Collin Simmons, who so far has 10.5 and is the defensive anchor. Leading the team in tackles is Jelani McDonald with 63; he also has an INT to pair with it. 

But for the hometown Missouri Tigers, they are fitting their “Classic Mizzou” narrative by stringing together some impressive wins but having questionable or costly losses by heavy hitters (31-3 loss to Ole Miss). This week is the perfect week to make a splash win to secure themselves a potential spot in both the CFP and the SEC Championship. 

At the helm for the Tigers is QB Austin Simmons. This season, on 152/240 passing, he has 1,952 yards, 16 TDs, and 2 INTs, with a QBR of 69.5. On the ground for the Tigers, Jamal Roberts leads the team with 1,005 yards on the ground for 5.3 YPC and 9 TDs. A scary addition for the Tigers is preseason Heisman candidate Ahmad Hardy coming back for his second game since his offseason gunshot wound.

Hardy and Roberts are going to be a great tandem in the backfield for the Tigers and a massive problem for the Texas front 7. Hardy has all-american potential in the backfield for the Tigers.

On the receiving end for the Tigers, Cayden Lee leads the WR room with 756 yards with 14.3 yards per catch and 5 TDs. Within that room, he’s partnered with Donovan Olugbode, who on the season has 584 yards with 14.6 yards per catch and 7 TDs. Look for these two to reek havoc in the secondary. 

On the defense for Mizzou, Nicholas Rodriguez leads the team with a stout 86 total tackles and 1.5 sacks on the season. Also apart of the Tigers’ front 7 is Daeden Hopkins with 7 sacks. Look out for these two to be a problem for Texas’ O-line.

The Mizzou secondary is also going to be a problem for the Longhorns. Leading the DBs for Mizzou is Safety Trajen Greco who on the season has 4 pass deflections along with 3 INTs. On top of that 4 other players have an INT, those including CB Sione Laulea, Jahlil Florence, and Safety Elijah Dotson, and LB Robert Woodyard Jr. 

The Tigers invested heavily in the secondary this offseason bringing Laulea from Oregon and Dotson from Michigan. These have been great additions for Eli Drinkwitz as staples in Missouri's secondary.

Eli Drinkwitz is known for being the underdog and making a pretty impressive statement at that. Even though Missouri only has a 29.2% chance to win this, expect them to make this a dogfight and not an overtly expected Texas blowout.

Texas may be too talented to lose, but Missouri will keep this game close.