
Week 12 of the season arrives, as Mizzou hits the road for a tall task in other Columbia.
Each Friday, I will grace these electronic pages to preview the week ahead in college football with my “Three by Three.” I’ll take a gander at three interesting things each in the Mizzou matchup, in the SEC, and around the nation. I’ll try to hit some under-the-radar things, too, especially since this week is not exactly loaded with blockbuster action._
Mizzou at South Carolina – 3:15 on SEC Network
1. Pass protection
It’s no secret – South Carolina has one of the best pass rushes in the nation. Edges Dylan Stewart and Kyle Kennard are hellacious getting after the quarterback, and it keys everything the Gamecocks do on defense. Whoever drops back for Mizzou — whether it is Brady Cook or Drew Pyne — will be pressured. It is critical that the sacks they do take don’t kill drives, or compile into turnovers. It will take a village to keep the offense on schedule, including chips and double-teams from backs and tight ends.
2. Run the ball
South Carolina’s D-line is dominant at getting after passers, but teams have been able to run on them. A recipe for a Mizzou win will feature a heaping dash of quality run game. Hopefully Nate Noel can be a little healthier. Jamal Roberts is coming off one of his best games running the ball. Mizzou will need to get their signature zone scheme cooking, as well as some option looks to stress the defensive ends.
3. Stop the run
South Carolina’s Rocket Sanders has been red hot, averaging over seven yards per carry in his last two games. If the Gamecocks are able to establish a running game like that, it will be a long day in Columbia East. Mizzou will need to force South Carolina into passing downs, where their offense is explosive, but also inconsistent and turnover-prone.
In the SEC
Texas at Arkansas – 11 AM on ABC
Texas should win this game comfortably, but games against Arkansas can get squirrely. This is the renewal of a historic rivalry that was often played with national titles on the line in the 60s and 70s. Maybe other opponents matter more these days, but there are pockets of each fanbase that still really hate the other guy.
Tennessee at Georgia – 6:30 on ABC
Thank goodness for this matchup, as the Week 12 slate is surprisingly short on national drama this late in the year. (Although you know what happens when a college football weekend looks light on paper — chaos.) Neither team feels really great about their quarterback situation, as Nico Iamaleava is dinged up for Tennessee and Carson Beck is on an interception streak. But both teams feel great about their defensive lines, two of the best in the sport. This probably comes down to which QB makes fewer mistakes.
LSU at Florida – 2:30 on ABC
I was all set to write this game off, then word came out that freshman quarterback DJ Lagway is going to play for Florida. Lagway is an awesome talent that changes the watchability of any game he is in, and both teams will be looking to sling the ball around the yard. Not much in the way of stakes here, perhaps other than seeing which fanbase can hate their own coach more, but at least the passing will be fun.
Around the Nation
Tulane at Navy – 11 AM on ESPN2
Some drama at the top of the American Athletic Conference between two excellent offenses. Both offenses feature fun, creative ways to run the ball, and can reliably scheme up big plays on the ground. This one will be fun and pointsy, and has conference championship implications, too.
James Madison at Old Dominion – 3 PM on ESPNU
While power college football coalesces around mega-conferences built for the national TV audience, the Sun Belt doubled down on small, well-supported programs that make geographical sense together. What a concept. They brought together the Dukes and the Monarchs, creating the royal rivalry between in-state programs that had not played a lot. Last year’s edition was a banger, as Old Dominion’s veer-and-shoot offense befuddled the Dukes. I expect another good game, and those still exist even when they don’t have playoff stakes.
kansas at BYU – 9:15 on ESPN
BYU is living a blessed life — some might call it lucky. The Cougars’ rickety mine cart ride through the Big 12 brings back memories of 2022 TCU. They face a stiff test at home, as an improving Kansas squad is bouncing back from a brutal early season run. The last time a team from the Sunflower State went to Provo after dark, the BYU defense flummoxed K-State all night.
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