Mizzou Football: Five things to watch vs South Carolina Gamecocks

Members of the Missouri Tigers (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
Members of the Missouri Tigers (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
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Drew Lock #3 of the Missouri Tigers runs for a first down against the South Carolina Gamecocks (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Drew Lock #3 of the Missouri Tigers runs for a first down against the South Carolina Gamecocks (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

This is a big game for Missouri and one that they should be able to win.

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South Carolina has been a team that has had the Tigers’ number recently, winning two straight against the black and gold. Last year was an absolute beatdown by the Gamecocks, who won 31-13 in Columbia, Missouri and the year prior won 31-21 on their home turf.

The series itself, however, is tied with each team winning four times over the entire history of the two teams. Since Missouri has moved to the SEC, however, South Carolina owns a 4-2 advantage in the series.

It’s critical that MU gets a win this weekend because following this game is a trip to Tuscaloosa for a date with the reigning National Champion Crimson Tide. I hate looking ahead, but it’s hard not to when a game against the best team in the country is just around the corner.

Anyway, back to the task at hand in the South Carolina Gamecocks, on paper, these two teams are about even, but the Tigers have Drew Lock and an offense that can be one of the most explosive in the country. Can they get it going against the Gamecocks?