The No.9 Missouri Tigers have been one of the bigger surprises throughout the 2023 college football season after posting a 6-7 (3-5 SEC) record a year ago. Eli Drinkwitz has led his Tigers to an 8-2 (4-2 SEC) record while holding 2nd place in the SEC East through week 11 of the 2023 season.
Gator Country provides you with a scouting report of the 2023 Missouri Tigers.
OFFENSE
The emergence of 4th year quarterback Brady Cook has helped stabilize a Missouri offense that ranks 26th in the FBS in total offense and 30th in scoring offense. Cook has thrown for a career high 2,746 yards and 17 touchdowns while completing 67.9% of his passes, a 3.1% increase from his 2022 campaign. The 6-2, 205-pound QB has the ability to hurt you with his legs, something that the Gators have let haunt them over the last few years and specifically over the last two games. Cook has netted 813 rushing yards and combined for 12 rushing touchdowns across the last two seasons. Cook’s offensive grade of 84.7 ranks 22nd amongst eligible quarterbacks, according to Pro Football Focus.
WR Luther Burden serves as Cook’s primary target, having hauled in 68 receptions for 984 yards and eight receiving touchdowns through 10 games in 2023. Burden ranks 10th in the FBS in receiving yards and 12th in receptions per game (6.8). While the 5-11, 208-pound WR certainly has the ability to take the top of Florida’s defense, what makes Burden so special is his ability to run after the catch. Burden averages 8.42 yards after the catch, which ranks third in the SEC, trailing only Eugene Wilson and Brock Bowers. Burden serves as a real threat for any opposing defense and is a true NFL talent. Burden’s offensive grade ranks 7th amongst FBS wide receivers while his route running grade of 90.7 ranks third in the country, according to PFF.
Burden is not alone in Missouri’s receiving core as senior receiver Theo Wease Jr. is providing the Tigers with a great 1-2 punch offensively. The 6-2, 192-pound receiver has 43 catches for 547 yards and five touchdowns this season. Burden isn’t much of a big play threat or a yards after catch receiver, but he has become a reliable target for Brady Cook, working to a success rate of 55.38%, the 9th highest in the SEC.
“It’s one of the areas where I think they made a big jump,” Billy Napier said on Missouri’s WR tandem. ” Ithink the new coordinators brought some new elements to the throw game. Look, they’re balanced, right? So it’s the challenge of stopping the run game and then matching up. I think you’ve got to pick the poison there.”
Missouri’s rushing attack is led by senior running back Cody Schrader, who has combined for 1,124 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 197 carries, an average of 5.7 yards per rush. The 5-9, 215 pound back hasn’t proved to be much of a receiving threat until a week ago, where he torched the Volunteers for 113 receiving yards on five catches.
“Low to the ground, pretty heavy, 5’9″, 214. The guy’s got good instincts and vision. I think he can get small, plays at pad level with power,” Billy Napier said on Schrader. “Ultimately, I think he’s a guy that’s been productive as a running back for a long time. I think they do a good job conceptually creating running lanes for him, and he’s able to maximize those.”
Schrader ranks 8th in the country in rushing yards and T-16th in rushing touchdowns. Schrader isn’t a guy that’s going to dominate you by breaking tackles or significant yards after contact plays, but his vision is next level. His 2.53 average yards before contact ranks 3rd in the SEC amongst running backs.
Missouri presents a balanced and complementary offense that ranks 22nd in passing offense and 63rd in rushing offense. Their offensive is built of veteran play makers, which is a theme of Missouri’s roster and overall success in 2023.
Miscellaneous Notes
- Missouri has the top ranked red zone offense in college football
- 29th in the FBS on 3rd downs (.444%)
- 26th in the FBS in first down offense
- 12th in the FBS in team passing efficiency
- 15th in the FBS in turnovers lost (9)
DEFENSE
Missouri’s defense ranks 40th in total defense and 43rd in scoring defense, allowing 344.1 yards per game and 22.3 points per game. The Tigers’ run defense has been impressive this season, ranking 20th in the FBS, allowing just 111 rushing yards per game on 3.62 average yards per attempt. Missouri’s passing defense hasn’t been as dominant, ranking 75th in the FBS, allowing 233 passing yards per game.
Missouri’s totaled 28 sacks through 10 games, which ranks T-17th in the FBS and has led them to a pressure grade of 72.8, which ranks 53rd in the FBS.
In coverage, the Tigers’ grade nearly matches their production, ranking 71st in the FBS, according to PFF.
Missouri, much like Florida, hasn’t done a great job creating turnovers this season, recording just 11 takeaways through ten games, which ranks T-99th in the FBS.
The cornerback duo of Kris Abrams-Draine and Ennis Rakestraw Jr serve as the top two graded defenders on Missouri, according to PFF. The pair has allowed 34 receptions for 394 yards and four touchdowns on 67 targets. They have combined for four interceptions and 11 pass break ups.
The next duo to look out for is Johnny Walker and Darius Robinson, who have combined for 14 sacks coming off the edge. The pair has combined for 56 total pressures including 37 QB hits and seven sacks a piece. With Austin Barber questionable to play, these two might have several opportunities to get into the backfield as Florida will be shuffling around their offensive line that already ranks 112th in the FBS in sacks allowed.
Missouri’s defense has taken significant strides in year two under defensive coordinator Blake Baker, but if Florida wants to be competitive in this game, they will need to find a way to score points in order to keep up with Missouri’s offense.
Miscellaneous Notes
- Missouri’s 3rd down defense ranks 56th in the FBS
- Missouri ranks 43rd in first down defense
- Missouri ranks 58th in red zone defense
- Missouri’s tackling grade ranks 55th / PFF