Image: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The nationally televised and hard-fought battle on Saturday night between Vanderbilt (10) and Mizzou (15) resulted in a heartbreaking 17-10 Tigers loss, one that moved Missouri’s playoff odds to just 16%. It was a game where Coach Drinkwitz and the Tigers were forced to battle adversity, as freshman quarterback Matt Zollers took over for the injured Beau Pribula and played the first significant snaps of his college career. While Vanderbilt’s big win at home puts them firmly in the playoff race, the big question is whether Mizzou can recover from the outside odds and clinch its first-ever playoff spot.
Rest of Season Outlook
Through stellar recruiting and scouting in the transfer portal, Eli Drinkwitz has turned around the fortunes of the Mizzou football program. The average attendance at Faurot Field increased from 46,516 in 2021 to full capacity in 2024, with an average attendance of 62,621 and sold-out season tickets. Drinkwitz’s presence has significantly solidified Mizzou’s credibility in the SEC, and he has shown no signs of slowing down. Despite losing stars Brady Cook, Armand Membou, and Luther Burden to the NFL last offseason, Drinkwitz’s additions of running back Ahmad Hardy and quarterback Beau Pribula have kept the Tigers on a roll. Drinkwitz is on pace to lead the Tigers to their third consecutive winning season and has already earned the team a fifth straight bowl game.
It will be crucial for the Tigers to win all four of the remaining games on their schedule for a chance at playoff contention. In this slate, Mizzou faces a tough home game against the undefeated, third-ranked Texas A&M, as well as a battle on the road with 18th-ranked Oklahoma. To make matters increasingly difficult, Pribula is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season with the ankle injury suffered last weekend. Zollers will make his first official start on Nov. 8 against Texas A&M, with tremendous pressure to win and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Keys to Success
For Mizzou to defeat both Texas A&M and Oklahoma, Zollers will need to come in and play at an elite level out of the gate. While Zollers played solidly in relief of Pribula, throwing for 138 yards and a touchdown, he will need to take it to another level. Zollers’ keys to success will be to avoid taking sacks and rely on the run game as much as possible.
The Aggies lead the NCAA with 32 sacks, so it will be vital for Zollers to scramble or throw short passes when facing pressure from the pass rush. The Aggies’ defense also ranks second in stopping third-down conversions, so Drinkwitz and Zollers will need to be creative when calling plays. While the Aggies also have a star-powered offense, Mizzou has a defense capable of stepping up. The Tigers’ defense ranks fourth in the nation in total yards allowed with 248.7.
As for the Sooners, playing them on the road is difficult but winnable. Oklahoma’s offensive line has struggled against elite opponents, and the Tigers’ defensive line will certainly give them trouble. Sooners quarterback John Mateer has struggled recently as well, allowing the Tigers’ secondary an opportunity to capitalize on their weaknesses. The biggest struggle will be capitalizing on offense, as the Sooners rank sixth in total yards allowed per game. This game will depend on elite defense from both teams, making it crucial for Zollers and the offense to make the most of their opportunities.
Overview
If the Tigers win their remaining four games, their playoff hopes are not dead. Missouri’s luck will depend on key losses from Vanderbilt and other ranked teams, as well as Zollers stepping up to the big stage despite a lack of experience. If these things happen, it is very plausible that Drinkwitz and Mizzou earn their first-ever playoff appearance.
