Know Your Enemy: Missouri Tigers
By Zach Ragan
Aug 31, 2013; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers mascot Truman entertains the crowd during the second half of the game against the Murray State Racers at Faurot Field. Missouri won 58-14. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Who: Missouri Tigers — Columbia, MO
Distance From Knoxville: 604 miles
Head coach: Gary Pinkel (13th year 97-61)
Conference: SEC
2013 Record: 7-1 (3-1)
Ranking: AP #10/USA Today #10
All time series: Missouri leads 1-0
Last meeting: Missouri won in Knoxville last season 51-48 in 4 OT
Leading Passer: James Franklin — 1,577 yards, 14 TD
Leading Rusher: Henry Josey — 573 yards, 8 TD
Leading Receiver: L’Damian Washington — 635 yards, 8 TD
This is suppose to be where Tennessee’s schedule eases up — but that clearly isn’t the case.
The Missouri Tigers, even though they lost last week, have been the surprise of the SEC so far this season. They won tough games against Georgia and Florida, before losing their first game of the season to South Carolina last weekend.
The Tigers lost their starting quarterback, James Franklin, against Georgia and were forced to look to redshirt freshman Maty Mauk.
Mauk led the team to a victory over the Gators and has looked more than capable of leading Missouri to the SEC east crown.
Franklin is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game, but ESPN suggests that Mauk will be making his third career start.
The Vols will have a tough time with either, as they look to beat a ranked opponent for the second time in three games.
Tennessee’s schedule doesn’t get any easier from here. They have another probable top ten opponent in Auburn that looms large the following weekend.