LSU Football: What to know about the Missouri Tigers for Week 6

LSU Football enters Week 6 needing to rebound from a deflating loss to Ole Miss last Saturday. Standing in their way are the unbeaten Missouri Tigers.

LSU Football and the Missouri Tigers are currently experiencing very different dynamics. The attitude in Baton Rouge is best described as a combination of dismay, disappointment, and rage. Indeed, we feel light years away from the stout Tigers defenses that featured NFL-caliber linebackers and the “DBU” moniker.

Bayou Bengals fans are coping with the reality that a trip to the College Football Playoff this season is unlikely. Instead, we’ll must enjoy the moment at hand, embrace a transitioning program, and exercise a trait we’re horrible with: patience.

The attitude is much different on the opposite sideline of LSU’s Week 6 matchup, where the Missouri Tigers are stoked to be 5-0.

I recently said that in year four, LSU Football fans should expect Brian Kelly and Co. to compete for a national championship. Year four is when a newer coach’s recruiting classes predominantly comprise his depth chart. Florida State is currently thriving in Mike Norvell’s fourth season in charge.

Mizzou is doing the same in the fourth season of Eli Drinkwitz’s tenure. Indeed, the Tigers of the SEC East appear to be turning a corner.

Drinkwitz’s program enters Saturday’s clash vs. LSU Football, ranked No. 21 and boasting a top 50 offense and defense.

I underestimated quarterback Brady Cook in my preseason SEC starting quarterback rankings. The junior signal-caller has completed nearly 75% of his passes for 1,468 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. A more alarming metric for LSU fans is Cook’s 10.4 average yards per pass play.

Cook’s favorite target is receiver Luther Burden III, the FBS leader in receiving yards with 641. Cook and Burden hooked up 11 times against Vanderbilt last Saturday for 140 yards and two touchdowns.

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Burden will probably be a burden (pun intended) for the LSU defense that surrendered 389 passing yards and four touchdowns to Ole Miss.

This week, LSU Football will need their pass rush to reemerge. Such is a task that will not come easy. Mizzou’s Javon Foster is one of the country’s highest-graded (83.9) offensive tackles. His linemate, Armand Membou, is not far behind (75.1).

LSU vs. Mizzou kicks off at 11:00 AM CT on Saturday, October 7, in Columbia, Missouri. Such is only the fourth time the Death Valley Tigers have faced the SEC East Tigers in program history.

Mizzou won their last meeting 45-41.