Mizzou Football: Three toughest games on 2019 schedule

Toughest Game No. 3

Week 9 at Kentucky Wildcats

Oh, man: last year’s loss to the Wildcats was a total punch to the gut. At the time, the Tigers were 4-3 and coming off an absolute pummeling of the Memphis Tigers, a game in which Mizzou put up 65 points. And then, when Kentucky came to COMO, Missouri’s offense went absolutely dark, scoring only 14 points (and none in the second half) in a one-point loss.

But it was the way the Tigers lost that hurt: giving up 12 points in the fourth quarter, including the game-winning touchdown pass (that looked an awful like offensive pass interference, by the way) with no time left on the clock.

Credit to Odom and the 2018 Tigers team: they didn’t lie down after this brutal loss. Instead, the Tigers, led by quarterback Drew Lock who was selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of last year’s draft, won four in a row, including an away game at No. 13 Florida, to reach eight wins and a bowl bid.

With the team’s decent schedule, the Tigers could enter this year’s matchup against the Wildcats at 7-0, or 6-1. A win here would be them in great shape for the rest of conference play with a little bit of room for error, especially considering their next two opponents.

Tiger to Shine: Larry Rountree III, Running Back

After having rushed for over 1,200 yards in 2018, Rountree, a junior, should get even more the bulk of the carries for Missouri this season. Early on, he may be the focal point of the offense as newly-arrived quarterback Kelly Bryant gets comfortable with offensive coordinator Derek Dooley’s system. That period may stretch through this game, which comes right before the Tigers’ second and final open week of the season.

Regardless of how much of the payload he receives, he’ll need to make the most of it. Like with all running backs, if Rountree performs well, he’ll take the heat off his quarterback. If he doesn’t, well, Bryant will be forced to use his legs a little more than what would be liked.

Wildcat to Fear: Jamar “Boogie” Watson, Outside Linebacker

Thankfully for Missouri, Kentucky EDGE Josh Allen left for the NFL, drafted No. 6 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Returning for the Wildcats, however, is the team’s second leading sacker from 2018: Boogie Watson, a junior.

In only nine games last season, Watson accumulated five sacks and five tackles for loss while defending another three passes and forcing one fumble. For the Tigers offense to operate, Watson must be handled.