One of players’ favorite things to do is look back and compare teams they played on to the current model of the same program.

Former players tend to be biased toward their playing days despite what the numbers point to. Their team, their “glory days,” had to have been better than the new guys wearing their jerseys, using their locker and getting all the attention on campus. They lived it, so it must be true.

Luckily, we have win-loss records to atone for such biases. More often than not, a team that wins more is better than a team that wins less. But that may not always be the case.

Take Missouri. The 2014 Tigers had a remarkable season, winning 11 games, a division title and the Citrus Bowl. Yet last year’s Missouri team always left you wanting more, especially on the offensive side of the ball.

That’s a sentiment viewers of the 2015 Tigers know all too well. Missouri was toward the bottom of the FBS in offensive efficiency before last week’s win against South Carolina.

So which team is better? Let’s break it down:

2014 TIGERS

Strength: Pass rushing. The 2014 Tigers were loaded along the defensive line, and put up 7 more sacks than the next-highest SEC team. Upperclassmen defensive ends Shane Ray and Markus Golden went on to become first and second round NFL draft picks, respectively, and the interior was stockpiled with solid seniors as well as Harold Brantley, a star in the making as a sophomore. Missouri’s defensive line is good this year and may end up being one of the program’s best for a while. But it’s very young and not nearly as deep as last year’s version, which allowed the Tigers to hold their linebackers and safeties back in coverage.

Weakness: Quarterback. In hindsight, Maty Mauk helped Missouri win its share of games with his fourth quarter heroics. But who knows what the offense could have achieved if the currently suspended junior was more efficient in managing the offense. Mauk started off hot, but the offense was limited once opposing defenses learned to double team WR Bud Sasser, Mauk’s favorite target. What little we’ve seen of Drew Lock so far this season would be amplified if he had Mauk’s 2014 receivers.

X-factor: Marcus Murphy. The reason the 2014 Tigers didn’t suffer the type of offensive troubles (save the Georgia game) of this year’s team was its running backs and, specifically, Murphy. He ran options, sprinted through draws and caught passes in the slot. But, most importantly, Murphy was one of the most dangerous return men in the country. The current New Orleans Saints specialist could flip the script in a game instantly. Look no further than the game at Florida, where Murphy scored 2 special teams touchdowns in addition to a rushing score.

2015 TIGERS

Strength: Defensive backs. The Tigers returned three of four starters from this group, and they have only improved. Two of the DBs (Ian Simon and Kenya Dennis) are team captains, and Aarion Penton and Anthony Sherrils are two of the most athletic players on the team. The DBs may not have a huge advantage over last year’s team, but the 2015 safeties and cornerbacks will go down as some of the program’s best.

Weakness: Receiving corps. We’re starting to see the light with Nate Brown’s touchdowns last week, but this group still needs a lot of work. Injuries to WR DeSean Blair and TE Sean Culkin haven’t helped matters, but they don’t atone for the drops. This year’s group could have benefitted from a year as contributing players to develop, as 2014 receivers Sasser, Jimmie Hunt and Darius White did in 2013, rather than being a revolving door of starters as has sometimes been the case this year.

X-factor: Barry Odom. Missouri’s new defensive coordinator is bringing a new edge to his unit. Linebacker Kentrell Brothers, an important but not terrific player in 2014, is playing out of his mind this year. The defensive line is still productive, and the safeties and corners are getting in on exciting blitz packages the Tigers haven’t seen in years. Missouri’s defense has been statistically one of the SEC’s best this season, and you have to give the former Tiger credit for his coaching after longtime coordinator Dave Steckel left the program.

VERDICT

Both teams are among the most talented in the program’s history, and the season is still young for this year’s Missouri team.

But they aren’t as developed as last year’s SEC East Division champions. Many of the key players from this year’s team started last year, but this year’s squad doesn’t have the luxury of Sasser, Ray, or former left tackle Mitch Morse. Also, you could do way worse if your “weakness” is a mobile quarterback who is 17-5 in games he starts. As it stands, the 2014 Tigers remain king.