Mizzou Football: 3 keys to beating Kentucky

No. 1: Will the Missouri football team be able to connect on deep passes?

Missouri quarterback Connor Bazelak had a decent outing last Saturday, posting 21 completions on 32 attempts for 257 yards and 2 TDs. However, one thing he struggled to do and has struggled to do since he became the starter is connect with his receivers on deep passes.

If Missouri wants to score, they’re going to have to hit on some big plays and score touchdowns by passing downfield.

Bazelak did hit wide receiver Boo Smith for a 60-plus yard deep ball on the first drive of the CMU game but after that Bazelak missed on several deep pass attempts including one that likely would’ve went for a touchdown to true freshman receiver Dominic Lovett.

Running back Tyler Badie had a monster performance on the ground in which he ran for over 200 yards and sophomore kicker Harrison Mevis kicked the go-ahead and the game-sealing field goals, but Missouri can’t have that be the case again. The story of the game should be how the Missouri offense had their way being a vertical passing attack.

What it’ll likely come down to is Connor Bazelak’s ability to put an accurate touch on the ball and whether or not the offensive line wins their blocks enough to give Bazelak time to go through his progressions and hit open receivers down field against Kentucky’s defensive line.