CBS Sports analyst picks Mizzou to upset Alabama
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
No. 14 Missouri will get its first challenge against a ranked opponent this season when it hosts No. 8 Alabama on Saturday in Columbia. CBS Sports analyst Randy Cross believes the Tigers are up for the task.
Cross is confident that balance on both sides of the ball for undefeated Mizzou will ultimately be the deciding factor for a victory.
“Missouri is the only team in the country with a top-4 offense and a top-4 defense. Corey Batoon has done a great job with that defense. It’s going to go a long ways towards Alabama coming out of Missouri with a loss…The offense is fun to watch. The defense might be just as fun to watch,” Cross said. “They are really, really good and they will be the difference against Alabama.”
Missouri’s defense is allowing just 14.6 points per game after the 42-6 victory vs. UMass. Meanwhile, the Tigers have been tremendous running the ball. Running back Ahmad Hardy has 730 yards and 9 touchdowns on the ground.
It’ll be a tall task against Alabama, which is riding a 4-game winning streak, including the last 2 victories against ranked opponents (Georgia and Vanderbilt). Missouri hasn’t defeated Alabama since a 20-7 victory on Sept. 8, 1975.
Alabama at Missouri is set for a 12 p.m. ET kickoff (ABC). The Tide are a 3-point favorite, per bet365.
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