Missouri Tigers vs. South Carolina Gamecocks: Kickoff time, TV, five things to know
Missouri travels to the other Columbia, for the annual Mayors Cup against South Carolina. The Tigers had a week off to get healthy and hopefully get a certain slot receiver back into the mix while the Gamecocks got beat 24-10 by Kentucky. A win for Missouri would prevent a likely three-game losing streak with a trip to Alabama waiting in the wings.
The details
Kickoff: 11 a.m. Saturday
Where: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, S.C.
TV: SEC Network
Radio: KMBZ (98.1 FM)
The line: South Carolina by 1 1/2
Five things to know
A win would all but quash questions about Barry Odom’s job security: Missouri would be 4-1 going into Alabama next week, and likely ranked, with a front-loaded schedule. Something insane would have to happen for him to get fired.
The Tigers could get some extra help from Richuad Floyd: Floyd has been out all season with a broken leg and is on pace to return on Saturday. He would be a boost to a Missouri receiving corps that struggled to get open against Georgia in the Tigers last game.
Missouri’s run game is key: The Gamecocks are ranked No. 92 nationally in rushing defense and the Tigers have three solid backs in Damarea Crockett, Larry Rountree III and Tyler Badie. A big day from any of them could go a long way.
This is a big game for Missouri’s secondary and special teams: Deebo Samuel smoked both units in last year’s game and the Tigers don’t have a lockdown corner. Does one emerge? And what does special teams coordinator Andy Hill do to contain him?
Who got healthy?: Missouri had a number of players banged up after the Georgia game, including Emanuel Hall, Cam Hilton and Nate Brown. Are they all good to go for Saturday?
Alex Schiffer
Alex Schiffer covers University of Missouri athletics for The Star.
