After a demoralizing 55-49 loss to Ole Miss, LSU will stay on the road this weekend and head to Columbia to face a Missouri team with higher hopes than it has had in a while.
Missouri has had a winning season just twice since 2014, but a hot start has the Tigers just one win away from being the first team in the country to clinch a bowl bid.
One of only 22 remaining undefeated teams in the FBS, Missouri’s 5-0 record is highlighted by wins over then-No. 15 Kansas State, Memphis and Vanderbilt.
Though three of Missouri’s wins have been by just one score, the team’s high-flying offense has led them to tough wins and has been the driving force of its hot start.
This offseason, Missouri brought in 31-year-old offensive coordinator Kirby Moore to take playcalling duties away from head coach Eliah Drinkwitz. Moore led a successful Fresno State offense in 2022 and now has Missouri’s passing attack looking its best since the Drew Lock era.
Junior quarterback Brady Cook has taken a big leap in his second year leading the offense, with 1,468 passing yards and 11 touchdowns so far. Missouri ranks No. 15 in the nation in passing offense, and Cook is No. 9 in the nation in completion percentage and No. 10 in yards per attempt.
He’s been stunningly efficient. He’s one of only four quarterbacks in the country who have over 140 pass attempts and haven’t thrown an interception, and last week he broke the SEC record for most consecutive attempts without a pick with 347, a streak that dates back to last year.
The passing offense under Moore and Cook has been remarkably diverse. Cook has had success attacking all areas of the field, including in the flats and in intermediate range. However, the Missouri offense has been most notable for its deep shots, with nine plays of over 40 yards this year.
That success has been aided by a well-rounded and talented receiving group. Former five-star recruit Luther Burden III is a genuine star, leading the country in receiving yards with 644. He’s shown off his ability as a deep threat and in space this season.
Oklahoma transfer Theo Wease Jr. has put forth 254 yards and three touchdowns as the No. 2 option. His 6-foot-2 frame allows him to be a dangerous red zone threat.
True freshman Marquis Johnson is also a matchup to look out for, as he’s been frequently used as a big play option. He has 182 yards and two touchdowns this season on only five receptions.
Missouri has not been quite as successful running the ball. Though running back Cody Schrader is the second-leading rusher in the SEC, he and the team as a whole haven’t been efficient: they rank No. 81 in the nation in yards per rush.
Still, Missouri will be yet another high-powered passing offense that the struggling LSU secondary has to face. It’s not getting any easier for Zy Alexander and Denver Harris on the outside; they’ll face trial by fire, especially as they try to corral an excellent Missouri receiver group.
The only positive for LSU is that Cook is a quarterback who’s most comfortable in the pocket, which Kelly has said in the past is advantageous for his defense. Cook’s able to use his legs, but he doesn’t prefer to, which may play into the hands of the LSU pass-rush.
However, it’s hard to count on that after last week’s performance against Ole Miss. Unless the LSU defense improves considerably, Missouri will put up points.
Missouri’s defense has been solid this year, with the unit displaying elite athleticism across the board.
The Tigers have had the No. 8 rush defense in the country this year. Their front has been disciplined, but their speedy linebackers and defensive backs are also very involved in stopping the run.
That held up even against Kansas State, who currently has the No. 25 rushing offense in the nation. Missouri held the Wildcats to 138 yards on the ground with a 3.9 average.
LSU hasn’t leaned too much on its rushing attack this year, but it’s been efficient. Logan Diggs looks like a reliable back without a clear hole in his game. However, against Missouri, especially with the game script looking to be a shootout, Diggs and the run game could be neutralized.
Missouri hasn’t been quite as outstanding against the pass, but it has two reliable cornerbacks in Kris Abrams-Draine and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. Abrams-Draine has three interceptions and nine pass breakups this year, which rank No. 4 and No. 2 in the country, respectively. Rakestraw Jr. had 12 pass breakups last year and both provide sticky coverage on the outside.
However, the duo hasn’t faced anything like LSU’s wide receiver tandem of Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr.
Missouri has a decent pass-rush led by breakout junior defensive end Johnny Walker Jr., who leads the team with three sacks and six pressures. It also relies on senior captain Darius Robinson, although he is questionable for the LSU matchup with an injury.
He’s seen work at both the interior and the edge this year, but he was one of the most productive interior pass-rushers in the SEC last season.
However, the Tigers manufacture pressure from their linebackers, with Ty’Ron Hopper having six pressures, and their defensive backs, with Daylann Carnell having two sacks.
That’s something the LSU offensive line needs to be on the lookout for, but the unit has been solid all year in pass protection even against elite pass-rushing units.
As solid as the Missouri defense is, it’s fair to say at this point that the LSU offense is matchup-proof. The Tigers will put up points on just about anybody, and Jayden Daniels will probably need to meet a high standard once again to keep up with the Missouri offense.
This game will come down to the LSU defense. Every stop the unit makes against Missouri gives a little bit more breathing room for the LSU offense, which practically would’ve needed to be perfect in order to win against Ole Miss.
The defense’s pass coverage and tackling will need to improve greatly against the aggressive Missouri offense. If not, we’re in for another shootout that could come down to who has the ball last.
