Oct 102 min read

Against UMass, Wounded Missouri Tigers Look for Redemption

UMass | Taisun Phommachanh | Missouri Tigers — © Meg Potter/Sun-News/USA TODAY NETWORK

The University of Massachusetts Minutemen (1-5) will host the No. 21 Missouri Tigers (4-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) at McGuirk Alumni Stadium at noon EST on Oct. 12 in Amherst, Mass.

UMass is coming off a 34-20 loss to Northern Illinois (3-2, 0-1 Mid-American Conference) in a game wherein the Minutemen gave up 367 yards rushing to the Huskies. Mizzou is reeling after a 41-10 thrashing from Texas A&M (5-1, 3-0 SEC). The Tigers only managed 68 yards on the ground and gave up 512 total yards of offense to the Aggies.

The Stakes

The Minutemen are atrocious on defense. UMass is giving up 31.3 points per game and 324.2 yards per game and is among the worst in the FBS in first downs given up with 65. Even after Missouri's offensive dud against the Aggies, don't expect this to be a get-right game for the Minutemen's defense.

Speaking of get-right games, Mizzou is probably itching to get after the floundering Minutemen defense. The Tigers only managed 254 yards against A&M. Star quarterback Brady Cook was inefficient, completing just 13-of-31 passes for 186 yards. Running back Nate Noel has 471 yards at 6 yards per carry, but only managed 30 yards on 10 carries against the Aggies. UMass provides the perfect opportunity for the talent-rich Tigers offense to get back on track.

Missouri | Luther Burden III, Receiver — © Maria Lysaker

Player to Watch: UMass

Missouri gave up 236 yards rushing to the Aggies including 138 yards and three scores on only 12 carries to running back Le'Veon Moss. If there is an avenue for the Minutemen to keep it close against the Tigers, it is running the football. UMass running back CJ Hester will lead their ground attack. Hester rushed 15 times for 71 yards against NIU.

Player to Watch: Missouri

The Tigers will likely look to run the ball against the porous Minutemen rush defense. Expect Noel to touch the rock early and often. However, Cook is coming off one of the worst performances of his career, after completing just 41.9 percent of his passes against the Aggies. Getting the QB rolling will be key in regaining the offensive rhythm that the Tigers expect.

Missouri | Brady Cook, QB — © Maria Lysaker

What to Watch

UMass hopes to find some consistency and stop the bleeding on defense. However, the likelihood is low that the Minutemen will get right against a recently embarrassed Mizzou offense that features Cook, Noel and future NFL first-round pick receiver Luther Burden III.

Mizzou will strive to get its groove back. A victory over the lowly Minutemen won't excite the fan base, but UMass presents the right circumstances for the Tigers to tweak any of their issues before returning to SEC play.