Tennessee football vs. Missouri: Five Tigers to watch

6’1″ 300 pounds; Hometown: Houston, Texas

There are numerous concerns about the Missouri Tigers’ defensive line with how it played against the Alabama Crimson Tide last weekend. However, as we keep stressing, they were facing Alabama, which is as loaded in the run game with Najee Harris and an elite offensive line as it’s ever been. This will be a better test for Ryan Walters’ defense.

As part of that test, Kobie Whiteside will be looking to continue his role as a dominant force. He still had three tackles, two of which were solo, while playing defensive tackle against Bama. Then there’s what he did last year, when he had six and a half sacks, tied for the most of any returning SEC defender entering this year. Remember, he did that as a defensive tackle, which is amazing.

Anyway, you can see why Whiteside is All-SEC. Last year, Whiteside gave tons of trouble to Tennessee football, coming away with five tackles, recovering a fumble and assisting on a sack. In fact, he recovered a fumble against the Vols in 2017, as a freshman, too, so he knows how to be effective in this game.

Last year, however, was Whiteside’s first year as a regular contributor, and he showed what they can do. Mizzou is going to rely on him to be the anchor of the defense the rest of the way, expecting him to help the team pull off some upsets and be a surprise throughout the season. This could be the game where he proves he can continue to do that.