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Missouri Football: Five toughest opponents in 2018 season

By Leigh Oleszczak

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 27: The Missouri Tigers offense huddles up near its own endzone during the Texas Bowl game between the Texas Longhorns and the Missouri Tigers on December 27, 2017 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 27: The Missouri Tigers offense huddles up near its own endzone during the Texas Bowl game between the Texas Longhorns and the Missouri Tigers on December 27, 2017 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Benny Snell Jr. #26 of the Kentucky Wildcats (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Benny Snell Jr. #26 of the Kentucky Wildcats (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Missouri football should have a successful season in 2018, but it won’t be a cakewalk for the Tigers. Who are their toughest opponents this upcoming season?

After a season that saw the Missouri Tigers make it to a bowl game, the expectations are high in 2018. For one, MU has one of the top ranked quarterbacks leading the charge, which that alone is going to put them in the spotlight.

Quarterbacks draw crowds no matter the team, so expect Missouri to be mentioned quite a bit this year due to their senior signal caller, Drew Lock. Lock had a nice junior campaign, but it was smart of him to return to school. He struggled against some of the tougher opponents and the Tigers definitely have a few of those this year.

So, who are these tough teams Mizzou will face in 2018? Let’s take a look.

TOUGHEST OPPONENTS IN 2018 – NUMBER 5: KENTUCKY WILDCATS

OCTOBER 27 IN COLUMBIA, MISSOURI

Surprisingly, Kentucky has become a much better team when it comes to football. The Wildcats are still predominantly a basketball school, but their football team looks like they could make some noise in 2018.

The player to watch from Kentucky is without a doubt running back Benny Snell. Snell is only going to be a junior this season and he’s rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his two seasons so far. He is definitely going to be a problem for Missouri, and for every team for that matter.

Snell crushed MU last year. He carried the ball 20 times for 117 yards and two touchdowns en route to the Wildcats’ 40-32 win over Missouri. It was a gritty performance by Snell and one he replicated often during his sophomore season. Yes, he’s only going to be a junior this year.

What gives Missouri a better chance of coming out victorious in this one is that A) the Tigers will be the home team and B) Kentucky’s quarterback situation is a bit iffy. None of their starting options have started in a Division I game, according to Jennifer Smith of Kentucky.com.

Kentucky surprised some people last year, but teams will be prepared for Snell (or should be anyway) and the Wildcats this year. With this being a home game, Missouri should find a way to win, but it’ll be tough if Snell goes off for 100+ yards like he’s prone to do.

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