Will Brady Cook play vs. Alabama? Five things to know about Missouri Tigers’ next game
If there’s any game on the Missouri Tigers’ schedule that’ll prove what they’re made of, it’s this week.
Head coach Eli Drinkwitz and No. 21 Mizzou are heading down to Tuscaloosa for the Tigers’ biggest test of the season against the Crimson Tide.
No. 15 Alabama (5-2, 2-2 SEC) is coming off a 24-17 loss to Tennessee in Knoxville, as the Vols went on top late in the fourth quarter.
The Tigers, on the other hand, are coming off a miraculous come-from-behind victory as quarterback Brady Cook returned from a midgame hospital trip in a 21-17 win over Auburn.
“Like we’ve done so many times before, now it’s on to the next challenge, and boy is it a big challenge,” Drinkwitz said Tuesday. “Opportunity to play against a top-15 opponent.”
Here’s what you need to know ahead of Saturday’s kickoff...
Mizzou football at Alabama game details
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26
Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium (Tuscaloosa)
TV: ABC/ESPN+
Radio: Tiger Radio Network
Betting line: Alabama is a 17 1/2-point favorite (via FanDuel).
Over/under: 52.5
Five Things to Know
1. QB Brady Cook is reportedly doubtful this week. With Cook’s ankle injury still lingering, according to an ESPN report that called him “doubtful,” the Tigers would turn to Drew Pyne. Pyne was unproductive against Auburn before Cook’s return, throwing for just 78 yards with no scores on 10-of-21 passing.
2. Alabama has the all-time series lead over Mizzou. The Crimson Tide are 5-2 against the Tigers. Alabama has yet to lose to the Tigers since MU joined the SEC (four contests), and the Tigers’ last win over the Tide was in 1975. Additionally, the Tide have only lost at home four times in the past 10 seasons.
3. Alabama QB Jalen Milroe specializes in explosive touchdowns. Milroe, who has thrown for 36 touchdowns since the start of 2023, is averaging 35.1 yards per passing touchdown. Of his 13 TDs this season, all but one have been at least 16 yards. His top target has been breakout freshman Ryan Williams, who has seven touchdowns across 649 yards and 31 receptions.
4. ... But also look out for him on the ground. Milroe leads all SEC quarterbacks with 11 rushing TDs this season; he ranks second across all of FBS (behind Army’s Bryson Daily). Milroe has 330 rushing yards on 91 attempts.
5. Limit the turnovers. The Tide have forced 15 total turnovers this season, with eight interceptions and seven fumbles. They’re one of 13 teams to have forced that many turnovers across FBS.
