As the college football season heats up, the Missouri Tigers prepare for a challenging matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday, November 22. Ranked 23rd, Missouri is looking to build on their recent victory, having secured a much-needed win last week against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Despite this success, the Tigers have struggled against ranked opponents, holding a record of 0-3 this season against teams in the top 25.
On the other hand, Oklahoma, currently ranked eighth, enters this game with momentum after a significant road victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Sooners have shown resilience following losses to Texas and Ole Miss, managing to win four out of five games against ranked teams this season. A win over Missouri, paired with a victory against LSU at home, could solidify their position in the College Football Playoff picture, especially since they are unlikely to participate in the SEC title game.
Missouri will have key players returning, which could bolster their efforts. However, the Sooners” defense poses a significant challenge, ranking eighth nationally in points allowed per game. They have successfully limited six opponents to 17 points or fewer this season, showcasing a defensive prowess that could trouble the Tigers, who have scored 17 points or fewer in two of their last three outings. The Sooners recently held Alabama to just 21 points and Tennessee to 27, both of which are more explosive offenses than Missouri”s.
Despite having a capable quarterback, Missouri ranks 63rd in the nation with an average of 28.3 points per game. The Tigers” defense, while ranked 26th in the country with an average of 19.9 points allowed per game, has faced struggles against elite competition. They conceded 27 points to Mississippi State and 38 to Texas A&M in their last two games, yet managed to restrict other SEC opponents to 27 points or fewer.
This matchup is expected to be a defensive battle, where scoring could be difficult for both teams. Oklahoma has consistently hit the Game Total Under in 10 of its last 13 games, and Missouri has also struggled, hitting the Team Total Under in five of their last seven contests. While the total set for this game is low, a score prediction of 27-13 in favor of Oklahoma seems plausible, reflecting both teams” defensive strengths and offensive challenges.
Stay tuned for a more detailed game preview later this week, as we continue to analyze this exciting SEC clash.
