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Missouri Tigers: SEC East
The days when Missouri ruled the SEC East are long gone. The team posted a .500 season in 2020 and will be pinning hopes on the development of sophomore QB Connor Bazelak, who could help the Tigers make a run for a bowl invitational, perhaps even the division title.
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Here's a look at the Missouri Tigers' strengths and weaknesses heading into the 2021-2022 season.
2021-2022 SEC East Conference preview: Missouri Tigers
Missouri's strengths: Even though the team lost Nick Bolton to the pros, there's still a good amount of talent in the front seven for new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks to work with. Late defensive collapses against Arkansas, Georgia and Mississippi State were a problem last year within the SEC, but a coaching change will do wonders for this group.
Missouri's weaknesses: Bazelak showed potential last year, but he couldn't do much as the Tigers' receivers were underwhelming. The trend is set to continue this year with a largely unproven group of pass-catchers; if Mookie Cooper doesn't produce the expected impact coming out of Ohio State, it'll be a tough year for Bazelak in the SEC East again.
Missouri Tigers key player: Offense
QB Connor Bazelak: Bazelak's emergence was the highest point of Mizzou's season, as the team finally has a quarterback it can trust. His stats weren't really impressive (seven touchdowns, six interceptions), but it's worth repeating that it says more about the receivers' lack of quality than anything about the quarterback himself. He should have a great sophomore season.
Missouri Tigers key player: Defense
DE Trajan Jeffcoat: Is this the year Jeffcoat starts to generate early-round buzz for the NFL? As a sophomore, he amassed six sacks, one forced fumble and six tackles for loss in only eight games. There's still a lot of room for the defensive end to grow and he'll be instrumental in Mizzou's success in 2021.
2021-2022 Missouri Tigers schedule
Week 1: Saturday, September 4 vs. Central Michigan Chippewas
Week 2: Saturday, September 11 at Kentucky Wildcats
Week 3: Saturday, September 18 vs. Southeast Missouri State Redhawks
Week 4: Saturday, September 25 at Boston College Eagles
Week 5: Saturday, October 2 vs. Tennessee Volunteers
Week 6: Saturday, October 9 vs. North Texas Mean Green
Week 7: Saturday, October 16 vs. Texas A&M Aggies
Week 8: Bye week
Week 9: Saturday, October 30 at Vanderbilt Commodores
Week 10: Saturday, November 6 at Georgia Bulldogs
Week 11: Saturday, November 13 vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
Week 12: Saturday, November 20 vs. Florida Gators
Week 13: Friday, November 26 at Arkansas Razorbacks
2021-2022 Missouri Tigers prediction (7-5 overall, 4-4 SEC)
Missouri has to set its expectations accordingly. The best-case scenario would still not involve a run for the SEC, as the roster isn't nearly as loaded as other competitors like Alabama, Georgia, LSU or even Florida.
However, it's another important season for Eliah Drinkwitz to make strides in his program and maybe make a run for the SEC East next year. A 7-5 with a bowl invitation would represent a positive 2021 for Missouri.
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