SEC football power rankings after spring portal closes: Did Aggies get better?
Post-SEC Spring Power Rankings: #5 - Missouri Tigers
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The Tigers are looking to build off of an extremely successful 2023 that saw them take home the title of Fiesta Bowl champions over Ohio State. Yes, the Buckeyes were hampered by injury in that one, but that shouldn’t sully Mizzou’s accomplishment.
Running it back with Brady Cook, Luther Burden, and most of the offense except Cody Schrader bodes well for the Tigers in 2024. Kirby Moore is still in CoMo, and with him at the controls, along with these key skill talents, Mizzou fans have to be excited about the potential of the offense.
There are some questions about the defense, however. Four of the top five Tigers in tackles have departed CoMo for the NFL draft, and DC Blake Baker was hired away by LSU. If there is any concern on this Tigers squad, it has to be how well the defense can hold up after the attrition they’ve undergone.
There are some new pieces that could help them, however. Toriano Pride, the Clemson CB, is a portal pickup that will serve the Tigers well in their secondary. Darris Smith, the edge rusher from UGA, could also be a solid piece for the Tigers. Freshman Williams Nwaneri has earned every bit of his top-6 recruit ranking and could break out for Mizzou.
The Tigers also face one of the easiest schedules in the conference this year. They basically have a five-week period of calisthenics before they face their first formidable foe when they travel to College Station. Of course, 2023 Missouri nearly lost to MTSU at home, so maybe they shouldn’t overlook Murray State, Buffalo, Boston College, and Vandy.
They take a trip to Tuscaloosa in the middle of the season, but that along with the visit to Texas A&M football are by far the most difficult games for them in 2024. It could be another double-digit win campaign for Eliah Drinkwitz in 2024.