Mizzou Football 3×3: Week Seven SEC and College Football Preview

Every Friday I will grace these electronic pages with my “Three by Three” preview of the week ahead in college football. I’ll take a look at three interesting things each in the Mizzou matchup, in the SEC and across the country. I’ll also try to hit a few things that go under the radar, although this week’s list at the top is incredible.

#21 Mizzou at UMass – 11 a.m. on ESPN2

Brady Cook’s race

UMass is ostensibly an FBS program, but their quality is that of an FCS team. There is very little the Tigers can do on the field that impacts their matchups with SEC opponents. Both offensive lines will dominate and the offensive weapons will look just as dynamic as we hoped. But one player has performed shockingly poorly in an area where he normally thrives: Brady Cook’s running. In the last few weeks he seemed indecisive, uncertain and slow. This is a far cry from the offensive and physical style he normally displays. No matter how often he carries the ball or in what manner, I would like to see the confident, attacking Cook return to the floor.

New rotations

Restore the good mood

College Station’s final result was a huge disappointment, but you know what else was a disappointment? Seeing the team sulk. Given their lack of energy and physicality on defense. When he saw the offense, Luther Burden, who is usually so cheerful and boastful, was particularly sad on the sidelines. Restore the roar, people.

In the SEC

#1 Texas vs. #18 Oklahoma (in Dallas, TX) – 2:30 p.m. on ABC

When people say, “Throw away the record books” in a rivalry, this is exactly the type of game they are referring to. It doesn’t seem to matter which program in Red River is ranked higher, more talented or healthier. Texas, of course, is a complete team, the No. 1 team in the country, and Oklahoma is a lopsided team with a stout defense and a lifeless offense. Texas features a fourth-year veteran quarterback with a full complement of outstanding receivers; Oklahoma has a true rookie signal-caller making his second career start with a wide receiver group decimated by injuries. And guess what? In this game it hardly matters.

Vanderbilt at Kentucky – 6:45 on SEC Network

Damn good trick, Vanderbilt. Can you do it again now? The Commodores look like a real football team and are building something in Nashville. With a quarterback as lively as Diego Pavia, all bets are off as to what Vanderbilt can accomplish.

The ‘Dores could fall flat against Kentucky and make Alabama’s win look like a fluke. Or they can show up and build even further on what they’ve already accomplished. Kentucky is tough, but also beatable. The Wildcats rely heavily on a positive score; If you give them an early lead, they will have a hard time getting out of the hole.

Florida at No. 8 Tennessee – 6 p.m. on ESPN

Josh Heupel’s Volunteers started the season like gangbusters, and I felt great about my longshot bet on Nico Iamaleava winning the Heisman Trophy. But the offense has stagnated in its last two games, a win over Oklahoma and an inexplicable loss to Arkansas. Speaking of inexplicable losses, the Vols have a penchant for those against Florida; A decision here would be clearly inappropriate and would let the embattled Billy Napier off the hook. Florida’s best chance of countering the surprising offer would probably be to let it fly and get into a shootout with its own precocious quarterback wunderkind, DJ Lagway. Unfortunately, the ultra-conservative Napier will only stay with limited veteran Graham Mertz.

Around the nation

#18 Kansas State at Colorado – 9:15 on ESPN

The Wildcats travel to Boulder for their third road game of the year and were unimpressive away from the Little Apple. You have to be careful here because the Buffaloes are playing with a little more meat on their bones these days, the kind of game that backs up all their talk. Everyone should have a matchup advantage: Colorado and Shedeur Sanders should have an easy time in the air against a weak K-State secondary. And the Wildcats should be able to hold their own on the ground against a mediocre Colorado rush defense.

#2 Ohio State at #3 Oregon – 6:30 on NBC

While I enjoy writing about Group of Five’s hipster games here for all of you, sometimes the game between the two big shiny helmet teams is just too good. That’s what we have here as Ohio State travels to Autzen Stadium in a clash of top five teams. Ohio State was sleepily dominant early in the year; They still have to play a close game, but they also haven’t really flexed their muscles yet. Oregon survived two close games early on, but has been on the rise since then — and gotten healthier in the trenches. I’m curious to see if one or both of them will put in a truly dominant, elite-level performance for 60 minutes.

#17 Boise State at Hawaii – 10 p.m. on CBSSN

Getting older robs you of many things. Your hairline. Your general vigor and strength. Her ability to stay up late for the Hawaii game. Yes, this is my confession that, two decades out of college, I haven’t gotten up for the Hawaii game in a few seasons. This could change that. Any opportunity to see Boise’s amazing Ashton Jeanty should be appreciated as he has stunning running stats.