OPPONENT: Missouri Tigers

WHEN: Saturday, September 21st

WHERE: Faurot Field (Columbia, MO)

ALL-TIME SERIES RECORD: South Carolina leads 5-4

LAST MEETING: South Carolina beat Mizzou 37-35 last season in a rain soaked game in Columbia, SC.

2018 RECORD: 8-5 (4-4)

Head Coach…

Barry Odom

How many people at this time last year thought the Tigers would have a new coach by now?

Barry Odom stabilized his much maligned program, winning 14 of his last 20 games as the head man in CoMo.

The Tigers haven’t lose a November game since the 2016 season and are looking to shock the SEC world this season.

Entering his fourth season with a .500 (19-19) overall record, this season will be big for Odom as he continues to try to reassure Tigers fans he’s the long term answer at head coach.

Returning Starters…

OFFENSE (7)

RB Larry Rountree III (Jr.)

TE Albert Okwuegbunam (Jr.)

RG Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms (Sr.)

C Trystan Colon-Castillo (Jr.)

LT Yasir Durant (Sr.)

SLOT Johnathon Johnson (Sr.)

WR Jalen Knox (So.)

DEFENSE (6)

DE Akial Byers (Jr.)

DE Chris Turner (Jr.)

MLB Cale Garrett (Sr.)

CB DeMarkus Acy (Sr.)

CB Christian Holmes (Jr.)

NB Tyree Gillespie (Jr.)

How did they fare in 2018?

The Tigers surprised many in 2018, going 8-5 (4-4) overall. However, it could have been even better.

Mizzou dropped three games to South Carolina, Kentucky and Oklahoma State by a combined 8 points and had good chances to win all three games.

As expected, QB Drew Lock was great for the Tigers. The now Denver Bronco threw for just under 3,500 yards and 28 TD last season.

Defense was a major issue for Mizzou at times a year ago. The Tigers ranked 9th in the SEC in scoring defense and 14th in passing defense.

Best Returning Player…

LARRY. ROUNTREE. SEE YA!!@MizzouFootball has scored 14 points in 38 seconds 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/RUV0dfLqoY — SEC Network (@SECNetwork) January 1, 2019

RB Larry Rountree

Rountree exploded on the scene a year ago, leading the Tigers with 1,216 yards rushing and 11 TD.

While Damarea Crockett was expected to be the workhorse for Mizzou last season, it was Rountree who came on strong.

He showed an ability to take it the distance every time he touched the ball and will be one of the best running backs in the SEC this season.

Overall Outlook…

Missouri may be one of the biggest mysteries in the SEC East.

On one hand, you have the source of the optimism: former Clemson QB Kelly Bryant.

Bryant’s announcement to land in CoMo sent a jolt of energy through the Mizzou fanbase and the expectations surrounding Barry Odom’s program.

On the other hand, the source of pessimism: sanctions, lack of defense, etc. Missouri was God awful against the pass last year and is also facing a bowl ban in 2019 that could affect the psyche of this years team.

I’m very wait and see with how the Tigers will fare in 2019. While they do have Kelly Bryant, I’m just not sold on the fact that he will fill in quite as seamlessly as some may think.

The Gamecocks week four road trip to the other Columbia will be a scary one no doubt. However, my gut tells me this is one South Carolina should expect to win and will win.

2019 SEASON PROJECTION: 8-4 (5-3)