If things go to "plan," this season seems destined for an unqualified success for head coach Barry Odom and the Missouri Tigers.

Despite loss to Georgia, Mizzou
seems destined for success

Sept. 26, 2018

COLUMBIA, Mo. --- It was a picture-perfect postcard day, with skies bluer than the mood of a scorned lover.

Mizzou's biggest crowd of the season, 58,284 --- 8,000 bigger than the previous high --- almost filled the Faurot Field stands Saturday. It was still 3,000 short of capacity with the No. 2 team in the country in the house, but hey ...

But why not a sellout? The lingering hangover from the Fall of 2015, that's why ... among other reasons. That, however, is a different story for a different day.

ESPN --- and this time, the N wasn't followed by a number or letter --- was on hand with one of the network's top broadcast crews, Steve Levy and Brian Griese.

It was a day for quarterback Drew Lock to show he truly is worthy of consideration --- even if it's just a Top 10 consideration --- of being a Heisman Trophy candidate.

Las Vegas listed the Georgia Bulldogs as 14-point favorites over the Missouri Tigers. Two touchdowns better, they said. Some thought that was a silly-high number, others thought it was silly-low.

Georgia 43, Missouri 29

They don't call them Wise Guys for nothing.

Lock's audition didn't get a failing grade, but he didn't pass the test, either. Call this incomplete, just like the majority of his passes --- 23-of-48 for 221 yards and no touchdowns, which snapped his streak of 13 straight games with at least one scoring pass.

An injury to the team's top deep threat, Emanuel Hall, made the field a lot smaller for Lock. Still, the Tigers have other threats and they should have taken some shots, because the deep ball is Lock's best bullet in his arsenal.

But the biggest issue was mistakes, a day when M-I-Z ... Z-O-U was replaced by M-I-Z ... C-U-E.

Or, C-U-E(s).

Besides being on the short end of a 3-1 turnover margin --- and one of those turnovers was returned for a touchdown --- there was the blocked punt --- which was returned for a touchdown.

It was enough, at times, to make Truman cover his eyes.

But in reality, this should be reason for optimism for the Tigers and their fans. Georgia only outgained Missouri 445-393 (and MU had more first downs, 26-18), so it was the giveaways and the Lucy/Charlie Brown special teams play that were the deciding factors.

So now what? After a bye, here's what's remaining for the Tigers, along with a few thoughts:

^ at South Carolina. Against Georgia, the Gamecocks --- also at home --- lost 41-17. Prediction: toss up.

^ at Alabama. Can you believe Hale Hentges is already a senior in college? Prediction: you don't have to ask.

After Alabama --- and as long as the Tigers don't get too beaten up, both physically and mentally --- the schedule becomes much, much more user friendly.

^ Memphis, Barry Odom's old team. Prediction: win.

^ Kentucky, which is ranked in the Top 25 --- and we're talking football, not basketball. It's the first time the Wildcats have been ranked in 11 years, but don't believe it. Prediction: win.

^ at Florida. One of three teams with new head coaches (Dan Mullen) on Mizzou's remaining schedule, and the only one of the three teams that's gotten better. Prediction: loss.

^ Vanderbilt is still Vanderbilt, despite playing well at Notre Dame two weeks ago. Prediction: win.

^ at Tennessee. Have you watched this team try to play football? Simply reVOLting. Prediction: win.

^ Arkansas. And the Razorbacks are even worse than the Vols. Two weeks ago, Arkansas lost a game of football 44-17 .... at home ... to North Texas. Prediction: win.

Since I'm never wrong --- unless I am, which is fquite requently --- the Tigers will finish the regular season either 9-3 or 8-4.

How about a bonus prediction? To finish the year, it's the Tigers ...

^ vs. Oklahoma State in the Liberty Bowl (Memphis, Dec. 31.) Ready to celebrate New Year's Eve on Beale Street? Lock gets the party started early with nearly 500 yards passing and five touchdowns. Prediction: win.

If things go to "plan," Mizzou's final record will be 10-3 or 9-4. Either way and by any measure and any standard, this season will be an unqualified success.

Lest we forget 5-7 in 2015, 4-8 in 2016, and last year's truly dismal 1-5 start ...

It's time to fill Memorial Stadium the rest of this season, Tiger fans, because these players had nothing to do with that disastrous mess in 2015. They deserve your support.

Because it's these players and this coaching staff who have revived a program that seemed dead in the water less than 12 months ago.

And that's something that can take decades to turn around.

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