Alabama Preview: A hobbled Mizzou Faces Desperate Tide
The last three weeks have not been kind to Alabama. Since knocking off Georgia in Tuscaloosa and ascending to the #1 ranking, the Tide has been upset by Vanderbilt, barely edged South Carolina, and were beaten last week in Knoxville by Tennessee. This weekend, the 15th ranked 5-2 Crimson Tide face a 6-1 Missouri Tiger squad that is ranked 21st. The Tigers are coming off a key win, rallying past Auburn 21-17 in a game where they trailed by 11 points entering the fourth quarter. The game is set for 3:30 EST and will air on ABC.
Mizzou is dealing with several significant injuries. Starting quarterback Brady Cook and leading rusher Nate Noel are doubtful for Saturday’s game, leaving QB duties to Drew Pyne, who has thrown 43 passes so far this year, but struggled against a tough Auburn defense. Tailback Marcus Carroll will fill in for Noel, and he has had a productive season so far averaging 4.9 yards a carry while scoring six touchdowns on the ground. The Tiger offense has done well this season, averaging 422 yards and 31 points per game. The top receiver for the Tigers is Luther Burden III, widely considered the top wideout in the country. The junior averages 12 yards a catch and has scored four touchdowns, although he has not scored in the last three games. Placekicker Blake Craig has been inconsistent, hitting on 15 of 22 field goals. However, he does have a long kick of 56 yards. The Mizzou D has been impressive this year, surrendering an average of just 15 points per game. Leading the unit is linebacker Corey Flagg, who is credited with 38 tackles and two sacks.
Meanwhile, the Crimson Tide offense has lost its way the last few games and has become too dependent on quarterback Jaylen Milroe. The junior dropped back 50 times against Tennessee, and even though he leads the team in rushing, defenses have recently figured out how to corral him, and his rushing effectiveness has been limited since the Georgia game. Milroe is still a fringe Heisman Trophy candidate and will look to get back to the form he showed earlier this season against Missouri. He has completed 68% of his passes and has thrown 13 touchdowns, but has 6 interceptions, including at least one in each of the last four games. He needs help from the running game, which has struggled this season despite working behind what should be one of the best offensive lines in the country. Backs Jam Miller and Justice Haynes have shown the ability to make big plays, but through seven games, both have been kept in check. Miller has 6 touchdowns and Haynes has contributed 5. Their effectiveness will go a long way in determining if the Tide can turn their season around.
The receiving corps is becoming predictable with freshman Ryan Williams getting most of the looks. Against Tennessee, the freshman was targeted 18 times. He is having a solid season, averaging 20.9 yards per catch and he has 7 total touchdowns. Capable receivers Germie Bernard, Kendrick Law, and Kobe Prentice are being underutilized and they need more touches in the games to come. Placekicker Graham Nicholson has mostly been used for extra points as he has only attempted four field goals all year, hitting two. Punter James Burnip is having an all-American season, averaging 44 yards per boot. Defensively, the unit has been wildly inconsistent and lately has been on its heels. The unit is giving up a very un-Alabama-like 21 points per game and has had struggles getting off the field on third down. Linebackers Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell continue to lead the way for a young Bama defense. Keon Sabb, a transfer from Michigan who has been starting at safety all year, will miss this game with a broken foot. Alabama’s defense needs to tighten up in this one.
This is a must win for Alabama, whose playoff hopes are now on life-support. Three weeks of below average ball means the Tide should be fired up to turn things around. At full strength, Missouri is a very tough out, and even hobbled, they are a very good team, especially on defense. Look for Milroe to continue to be the centerpiece of the Bama offense, and chances are that the Mizzou D will frustrate him early. However, at long last, the Tide hit their stride in the second half and enter their final bye week victorious.
Alabama 28
Missouri 13
