Five bold predictions for Mizzou football’s 2020 season and game-by-game picks
What a year for Missouri Tigers coach Eliah Drinkwitz to take over a program.
Drinkwitz was hired last December from Appalachian State, leading the Mountaineers to a stellar 12-1 record and Sun Belt championship. The first-year coach did well initially with his 2020 recruiting class, able to pick up some nice pieces to round it out despite the late start.
Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The country has also been reckoning with racial inequality and police brutality against Black people. And, of all things, can’t forget those NCAA infractions that limit recruiting and take away four scholarship spots. There’s a lot that happened off the field, with little time to digest what the Tigers could look like come kickoff.
Speaking of football, Mizzou added reigning national champion LSU and annual contender Alabama to the schedule. There are still questions about the roster — especially at quarterback.
Hopefully Drinkwitz has been able to take it all in during his short but chaotic tenure.
The season kicks off Sept. 26 against Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide. Just the last little bit sprinkled in to make Drinkwitz’s life more difficult. It doesn’t help the Tigers are dealing with pandemic-related issues, like at least a dozen players will be missing because of the novel coronavirus.
But, hey, football is nearly back — and that means predictions. That’s all pending any changes because of the pandemic, of course. Nobody can predict what will happen with injuries and COVID, but that’s the world we live in now.
Let’s get into it with five bold predictions for the season and game-by-game picks.
1. SHAWN ROBINSON WILL START AT QUARTERBACK ... BUT CONNOR BALELAK WILL GET HIS SHARE OF ACTION
Robinson, ever since he stepped foot on MU’s campus, was expected to be the starting quarterback in 2020. Well, we’re a week away from the season and we still don’t know if he will be. Drinkwitz has kept the quarterback competition under wraps, though we do know the starter won’t be Taylor Powell, who left the program.
Bazelak showed some talent in 2019, when he moved the chains against Georgia and Arkansas. This prediction is based off of both Bazelak’s ability and differing game from Robinson, but also keeping in mind COVID-19 can change anything in a flash.
2. THERE WILL BE AT LEAST ONE POSTPONEMENT OR ALTERATION TO MIZZOU’S SCHEDULE
It doesn’t necessarily have to be Mizzou’s fault, but with a season this long, it’s likely bound to happen. Mizzou soccer was supposed to start its season this weekend, for instance. But because its opponent, Florida, had too many cases, the game was postponed.
The SEC will likely unveil its specific game-cancellation thresholds soon, which, if they’re anything similar to the Big 12, will revolve around a minimum 53-man roster. It likely won’t be difficult to gather 53 players out of roughly 111 on the roster, but specific positions could be affected. Mizzou’s already dealt with COVID-19 and injury issues on its offensive line — crucial positions — and if those continue, a game postponement or cancellation isn’t out of the question. The Tigers have two weekends where they could make up games before the SEC championship game on Dec. 19.
3. MU’S DEFENSE WILL STEADY THE SHIP, KEEP UP ITS SUCCESS
Mizzou’s defense looks largely like it did from last year, which ranked well in stopping the opposition. They lost key playmakers — DeMarkus Acy and Jordan Elliott — but return droves of talent like All-American Nick Bolton, sacks leader Kobie Whiteside and the safety tandem of Joshuah Bledsoe and Tyree Gillespie.
There are some question marks, such as on the defensive line alongside Whiteside, but most of the assistant coaches are the same as last year, with MU defensive coordinator Ryan Walters and others returning. It’ll be intriguing to see how Walters operates without a mentor like Barry Odom for head coach, but the returning production and scheme should engender some optimism among Mizzou fans.
4. MIZZOU WILL HAVE ONE OF THE BEST RUNNING BACK DUOS IN THE SEC
Arguably Mizzou’s most solidified position is running back, where the Tigers boast returners Larry Rountree III and Tyler Badie. We’ve heard all summer about how the coaches plan to get both players on the field at the same time, giving MU’s quarterback some options. Rountree had a disappointing 2019, but he’s rushed for more than 1,200 yards in this league. Badie, the self-dubbed “most versatile running back in the SEC,” could feast in Drinkwitz’s scheme because he can operate in open space.
We don’t want to back away from this bold prediction, but this is really dependent on COVID-19’s impact on the offensive line. If that line can’t block properly against SEC fronts for Rountree and Badie, this prediction will go poof. Even an adequate job by MU’s O-line should open enough holes for this playmaking duo.
5. NICK BOLTON WILL LEAD THE SEC IN TACKLES
Perhaps this isn’t a bold prediction, considering Bolton did lead the SEC in regular-season tackles last season. The then-sophomore filled admirably the void left by Cale Garrett — the Mizzou defense didn’t miss much of a step when its captain went down.
Bolton, who figures to line up again at weakside linebacker, hasn’t shied away from the spotlight, or the season. The captain said he didn’t have any plans of opting out despite being a likely NFL Draft pick, and he should continue causing havoc on the field whenever lines up.
GAME-BY-GAME PREDICTIONS
Sept. 26 vs. Alabama (6 p.m. on ESPN): What a brutal game to start off your tenure. The Crimson Tide weren’t even on the schedule until the SEC added two games — then made it Mizzou’s season opener. While the game being early in the season could be a boost for the underdog Tigers, it doesn’t help that Mizzou’s down at least a dozen players for COVID-related purposes. Alabama 34, Mizzou 13
Oct. 3 at Tennessee (11 a.m. on SEC Network): The Vols had a horrible start to last season, then pushed through late to earn some optimism going into this year. The Tigers fell victim to a hot Tennessee team in 2019, though they were also in a freefall. The Vols gashed the Tigers through the air last time these two met. Tennessee 30, Mizzou 20
Oct. 10 at LSU (Time and TV TBA): MU finishes off a brutal start to 2020 with a Tiger vs. Tiger showdown against the reigning national champions. LSU isn’t the juggernaut it was last year, but Ed Orgeron’s squad still packs a massive punch. If MU starts 0-3 — which is entirely possible — some of the blame can be put on the schedule. LSU 38, Mizzou 23
Oct. 17 vs. Vanderbilt (6:30 p.m. on SEC Network): The Tigers finally get a game in which they’ll be favored with a home showdown against the hapless Commodores. MU won’t be caught sleeping after last year’s upset loss. Missouri 24, Vanderbilt 14
Oct. 24 at Florida (Time and TV TBA): Another preseason top-10 team on Mizzou’s schedule — but that’s what happens when you play in the SEC. The Tigers had the Gators’ number during the Barry Odom era, though that momentum stalled last year. Florida 28, Mizzou 20
Oct. 31 vs. Kentucky (11 a.m. on SEC Network): The Wildcats have downed Mizzou for the past five years, including via a questionable finish in 2018. The Tigers will likely be desperate for wins wherever they can get them, and this one is pretty winnable. Missouri 23, Kentucky 17
Nov. 14 vs. Georgia (Time and TV TBA): The Bulldogs are the fourth and final preseason top-10 team to appear on Mizzou’s schedule. The Tigers should have some semblance of chemistry by this point and could put up a challenge against the visitors. Georgia 31, Missouri 23
Nov. 21 at South Carolina (Time and TV TBA): South Carolina and Mizzou will likely be looking at this game similarly: Each will expect and hope to win. Missouri 28, South Carolina 24
Nov. 28 vs. Arkansas (Time and TV TBA): The vaunted Battle Line Rivalry is still during Thanksgiving weekend, with a chance to move back up to its now-traditional Black Friday. This year’s edition will have extra juice to it, as it’s Odom’s homecoming at Faurot Field. Expect a chippy game. Missouri 24, Arkansas 17
Dec. 5 at Mississippi State (Time and TV TBA): The final game of 2020 will be against Mike Leach’s air raid offense. That should be quite the sight to see — Mizzou plans to field a stingy pass defense. Mississippi State 27, Missouri 20
Final record: 4-6 SEC