Missouri Tigers vs. Memphis Tigers: Kickoff time, TV, five things to know
After traveling for its last two games, Missouri returns home to face Memphis, Barry Odom’s old program, for homecoming. A win would get Missouri back on track to finish the season strong and bowl-eligible. Should Missouri lose, the forecast won’t be promising for Odom and Co.
The details
Kickoff: 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: Memorial Stadium, Columbia
TV: SEC Network
Radio: KMBZ (98.1 FM)
The line: Missouri by 9 1/2
Five things to know
Memphis likes to run the ball: The Tigers have the American Athletic Conference’s leading rusher in junior Darrell Henderson, who averages 10.3 yards per carry. Missouri is good at stopping the run, which makes the matchup intriguing.
Jalen Knox needs help: Missouri’s freshman wideout has become the only reliable pass catcher since Emanuel Hall and Nate Brown went down because of groin injuries. Someone else has to step up. Odom said on the radio Monday that Hall will miss Saturday’s game. His father died Thursday.
Missouri has a former Memphis player on its roster: Linebacker Noah Robinson was recruited to Memphis by Odom and transferred to Missouri last season. He’s mainly played on special teams.
This is a familiar foe for Odom: He interviewed for the Memphis job in 2015 before becoming Missouri’s head coach, and defensive coordinator Ryan Walters also coached there. Odom was the defensive coordinator at Memphis from 2012-14.
Kobie Whitesides became the first defensive lineman to get a sack since… Chris Turner at Purdue on Sept. 15. Missouri’s pass rush as been lacking all season and that sums up its issues. Terry Beckner Jr. said last week the unit was close to a breakthrough. Does it happen Saturday?
Alex Schiffer
Alex Schiffer covers University of Missouri athletics for The Star.
