Longshot to Win the SEC

ASA’s LONGSHOT TO WIN SEC

 

Missouri +2500 at FanDuel

 

Don’t sleep on this Missouri team in 2024.  Since they aren’t named Georgia or Alabama or LSU, we’re guessing many have already forgotten the Tigers finished with an 11-2 season last year and beat Ohio State 14-3 in the Cotton Bowl.  Their 2 losses came at the hands of UGA and LSU and a look at the stats in those setbacks reveals that Mizzou played both toe to toe (almost dead even total yardage).  The Tigers bring back QB Cook who was one of the top QB’s in the league passing for over 3,300 yards and rushing for over 500 yards.  He has arguably the top WR in the nation, Luther Burden (86 receptions for 1200 yards), as his top target.  We have the Tigers offensive line rated as one of the top 20 units in the nation returning 4 starters from a team that finished in the top 15 in both yards before contact (rushing) and pressure rated allowed (passing).  They did lose their top RB but brought in 2 transfers that accounted for over 5,000 career rushing yards at App State and Georgia State.  The offense put up over 32 PPG last year and we look for 35+ PPG in 2024.  The defense was very solid last year finishing in the top 35 in both scoring defense and total defense.  Mizzou did lose some starters on that side of the ball but brought in key transfers from Florida, Clemson and Michigan State that should pick up the slack.  New DC Batoon comes in after leading South Alabama’s defense to a top 15 overall ranking (total defense).  They won’t need to be great on that side of the ball with the offense expected to be outstanding.  Lastly, the schedule really lays out in Missouri’s favor this year.  They avoid UGA, Texas, LSU and Ole Miss who are 4 of the top 5 teams in the SEC when it comes to odds to win the conference.  Their toughest road game is @ Alabama but they catch the Tide at a great time transitioning to a new coaching staff and new systems on both sides of the ball.  Missouri has a chance to make some waves in the SEC this year and at 25/1 they are worth looking at to win the conference.