Missouri football: Ranking the 5 easiest games on the 2021 schedule
By Jacob Milham
The North Texas Mean Green travel as the Tiger’s homecoming easy opponent.
If you are not a fan, it is hard to root against Conference USA opponents. Most teams are plucky underdogs with fun mascots.
The key term is “underdogs”. While underdogs can make for fun betting picks, I would not bet any money on the Mean Green beating the Tigers.
The mid-season matchup comes at a crucial point for Missouri. Homecoming is before a three-game stretch that includes dates with Texas A&M and Georgia. This game could serve as a good tune-up game and an opportunity for starters to rest.
This game will be that easy.
North Texas is coming off a 4-6 2020 season, the featured Conference USA, American Athletic Conference, and Sun Belt Conference. Not exactly top-tier competition.
That performance has head coach Seth Littrell‘s hot seat burning, especially following he led the program to nine-win seasons in 2017 and 2018. Between 2019 and 2020, the Mean Green only have eight wins under his leadership. Even though North Texas is far from a football powerhouse, another poor season could spell the end of Littrell’s tenure.
The unfortunate fact is this game is not for competition; it is a bought win in the big picture. Competing in the SEC, wins can be hard to get easily (except against Vanderbilt). Inviting the Mean Green to Columbia for homecoming almost feels like a sacrifice to get Missouri closer to bowl eligible and send fans home happy.
The Tigers and Mean Green have only played once, a 28-7 Tigers win in 1995. Look for Missouri to make that 2-0 all-time, with a larger point spread than 1995.