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Using ESPN’s FPI (Football Power Index) as a guide, Missouri (4-0) has a 30.1 percent chance to beat South Carolina (3-1, 1-1) on Saturday.
CAN MISSOURI DEFENSE GET BACK TO DISRUPTING?
One of the biggest negatives for Mizzou in its 31-27 upset loss to Indiana last week was the lack of disruptions caused by the defense.
The Tigers entered the game with a 47-game turnover streak. That ended. And the two-headed monster at defensive end, which evolved during the course of that streak, but contributed mightily, was reduced to one with Markus Golden (hamstring) out.
Shane Ray grabbed a sack to extend his season total, but Indiana ran at the spot vacated by Golden and had no real issues with Missouri’s pass rush, which demolished Toledo and took over the game in the second half against UCF.
South Carolina’s defense has been one of the worst in the SEC this season, if not the worst. (We’ll give the Gamecocks a little credit for facing some tremendous offenses early.) Even with a struggling offensive line, the Tigers should put up points in this game.
Getting revenge on South Carolina and pulling off an upset of its own may require Missouri to get back to forcing turnovers and flustering quarterback Dylan Thompson.
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
