Tigers confident in playmakers
HOOVER, Ala. — Backto-back SEC East titles are a distant memory for the Missouri Tigers.
But after consecutive losing seasons, Mizzou certainly should field an exciting team to watch, if not a winning one.
The Tigers boast a collection of playmakers few teams in the SEC can match. Among 10 returning starters on offense is 3,000-yard passer 1,000-yard receiver
and 1,000-yard rusher
“We have a lot of playmakers all over through the offense,” Moore said. “We can have as many explosive players as we want and we can have as much possible production as we want.”
During last season’s 4-8 finish under first-year coach though, the Tigers’ offense was hit or miss and always at the mercy of a struggling defense.
Missouri totaled more than 700 yards last season at Tennessee but gave up nine touchdowns during a 63-37 loss. The offense and defense were equally bad during a 40-14 loss at Florida, finishing with just 98 passing yards and yielding 287 rushing yards.
Lock, Moore, Crockett and an offensive line returning four starters should give the Tigers a chance in a lot of games, even though the defense returns just three starters.
Moore said the offense is placing the 2017 season on its shoulders.
“When we get on that field if we don’t put points on the board with all this talent we have, we’re going to have issues,” he said. “We understand with all the tools we have we have to score points.”
Hard to imagine a program that’s won 17 straight SEC games would somehow feel disrespected. But that’s what
“Yeah, we definitely have a chip on our shoulders,” junior wide receiver
a Fort Lauderdale product, said Tuesday. “A lot of people still don’t respect us. We’ve got to work extra hard because the teams, they aren’t afraid of us.”
Ridley said he’s heard some people claim that Alabama just isn’t Alabama anymore because the Tide lost to Clemson in the national championship back in January.
“Our whole thing is about finishing and anytime we don’t do that, that’s motivation for us,” Crimson Tide senior offensive lineman
explained. “So we’ve got to get back to the point where we’re finishing everything regardless if it’s a blowout or in a close game.”
Alabama’s All-American defensive back, believes the team can learn from its last-minute loss to the Tigers.
“You always learn from a loss, and if you don’t, then that’s on you,” he said. “We’re definitely using the motivation, and we’re not letting small things slide. That’s the reason we lost last year because we let little things slide towards the end of the season and the championship game. We lost because of small details.”
“We’re going to play as one and we’ll be ready,” Ridley added.