EDITORIAL BY GRAYDON FOX

Overview:

On Saturday, October 13^th, the (3-2) Missouri Tigers will be on the road to take on the (6-0) Alabama Crimson Tide.

The Crowd:

The Crowd projects a final score of Alabama 45.2 – Missouri 22.2 with an over/under of 67.2.

Lou Holtz and Mark May:

Lou is predicting a final score of Alabama 57 – Missouri 17.

Mark is predicting a final score of Alabama 52 – Missouri 17.

2018-19 Statistics (130 total teams):

Passing offense: Alabama 345.3 YPG > Missouri 318.4 YPG

Rushing offense: Alabama 222.2 YPG > Missouri 211.6 YPG

Scoring offense: Alabama 56.0 PPG > Missouri 39.0 PPG

Scoring defense: Alabama 16.0 PPG > Missouri 28.8 PPG

Passing defense: Alabama 197.8 YPG > Missouri 284.8 YPG

Rushing defense: Missouri 107.4 YPG > Alabama 134.3 YPG

Turnover Margin Per Game: Alabama +1.5 > Missouri -0.8

Summary:

Missouri is (3-2) to start the season with wins over UT Martin, Wyoming, and Purdue.  They are in the midst of a two-game losing streak after being defeated by #2 Georgia and South Carolina.  The Tigers rank 26^th in points per game (39.0) and 84^th scoring defense (28.8 PPG).  Quarterback Drew Lock has completed 59% of his passes for 1,487 yards with 11 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.  The Tigers have a trio of running backs in Larry Rountree III, Damarea Crockett, and Tyler Badie that have all rushed for over 200 yards.  Emanuel Hall is the team’s deep threat with 430 yards (23.9 YPC) and 3 touchdowns.  The Tigers’ defense ranks 117^th against the pass (284.8 YPG) and 15^th against the run (107.4 YPG).  Missouri has had trouble taking care of the football as they rank 108^th in turnover margin (-0.8).

Alabama is (6-0) with victories over Louisville, Arkansas State, Ole Miss, #22 Texas A&M, Louisiana, and Arkansas.  The Crimson Tide rank 1^st in points per game (56.0) and 11^th in scoring defense (16.0 PPG).  Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is on pace to set the all-time record for passing efficiency in a season and is the leading contender for the Heisman Trophy after six weeks.  Tagovailoa has completed 75% of his passes for 1,495 yards with an absurd 18 touchdown to 0 interception ratio.  The backfield duo of Najee Hrris and Damian Harris have combined to rush for 743 yards and 7 touchdowns.  Receiver Jerry Jeudy is having a tremendous season with 558 yards (24.3 YPC) and 8 touchdowns.  Tagovailoa has done a great job spreading the wealth as Alabama already has five receivers with over 300 yards.  The Crimson Tide defense ranks 39^th in defending the pass (197.8 YPG) and ranks 48^th in defending the run (134.3 YPG).  Alabama simply doesn’t turn the football over as evidenced by their turnover margin (+1.5) that ranks 5^th in the country.

Bottom Line:

It has been interesting to watch Nick Saban transform his team from the unbelievable defensive units of recent years to the nation’s most unstoppable offense.  Tua Tagovailoa is having a season for the ages and Coach Holtz even said they should give him the Heisman Trophy already.  Tagovailoa will torch a Missouri defense that has been awful against the pass this season as the Crimson Tide win big at home.

Alabama wins 56-17

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