Each Thursday, I will grace these electronic pages to preview the week ahead in college football with my “Three by Three.” I’ll take a gander at three interesting things each in the Mizzou matchup, in the SEC, and around the nation. I’ll try to hit some under-the-rader things too and not just Georgia and Ohio State each week, you know?
Missouri vs Murray State — 7 PM Thursday on SECN
Dominant Defensive Line
When a top tier team plays an FCS squad, there isn’t much to watch for in individual matchups that will set the tone for upcoming conference games. But you do look for a certain level of play, especially from an entire unit, and that’s why I need to see Missouri’s revamped defensive line absolutely dominate on Thursday. Not just win, not just play well — dominate. With end Darius Robinson in the NFL and three-quarters of the tackle rotation gone, this group is going through significant overhaul. Specifically, I’ll be interested in how Corey Batoon uses Johnny Walker Jr and Joe Moore at boundary defensive end, which he has said will get more coverage responsibilities. And I’m interested to see the young guys, like Marquis Gracial, Williams Nwaneri, and Jakhai Lang. If the Tigers will replicate last season’s success, it starts with squashing the bugs up front on Thursday night.
Replacing Stars
This game is the official turning of the page from last year’s club. While last year’s stars will live in both your memory and Mizzou lore forever, they won’t be in your game program. I’m excited to see the new guys get their shot. I think Nate Noel is going to be a breakout fan favorite; his greased lightning explosive running brings a new element to this offense. I can’t wait to see Marcus Bryant stand up even the most fearsome pass rushers. I’m excited for Triston Newson and Khalil Jacobs’ turn as havoc personified at linebacker. And of course, the man with the biggest shoes of all to fill, Blake Craig taking over for the legendary Thiccer Kicker. We’ve got some familiar stars to cheer on, but I am excited for these new ones to win our hearts tonight.
Touchdown Luther Burden
As much as we are all excited to see our new Tigers, let’s be honest – we are all pumped to see the man himself in action again. We are running out of opportunities to watch the best and arguably most important recruit in Mizzou history ply his trade in a Tiger uniform. Luther’s stardom elevates the program, and I think the staff will get him some easy opportunities for some counting stat boosts. Winning games is the main goal, but Luther putting up the kind of line that gets national recognition in December is important, too. That journey begins tonight, and I can’t wait to see what magic he is going to create as he stuffs the box score.
In the SEC
Clemson vs Georgia – 11 AM Saturday on ABC
There are only a handful of really interesting Power Five clashes this week, and four of them involve SEC teams. Despite FOX and CBS’s recent moves around the Big Ten, the SEC still reigns supreme, with the best game in all three time slots. The Mouse wins again.
This game is great, featuring two of the three active coaches who have won a national title. (Bonus points if you can name the third – it’s sneaky.) Georgia is, of course, brimming with talent, but Clemson’s starting lineup is also excellent. Tigers defensive tackle Peter Woods is a monster, and he leads a group tasked with slowing down Carson Beck and company.
Miami at Florida – 2:30 PM Saturday on ABC
Florida head coach Billy Napier finds himself on a seat getting hotter than an afternoon kickoff in August in The Swamp. Unfortunately for him, he was dealt a double blow of a brutal SEC schedule, and a non-conference schedule featuring three in-state rivals. His Gators better get off to a good start against Miami, or the whispers will be full-fledged howls. Miami pushed all their chips into the table with NIL and the portal, and will start Cam Ward at quarterback. One of these two teams and fanbases is going to be VERY upset around dusk on Saturday.
Notre Dame at Texas A&M – 6:30 PM Saturday on ABC
Notre Dame offensive lineman have been dropping like flies, and the Domers will open the season starting players they wanted to redshirt or have as backups. That’s bad news when the first game of the season is against a defensive front as talented and aggressive as Texas A&M’s. The Aggies will once again look to beat the “all hat, no cattle,” allegations; at least now they are led by a proper ball coach in Mike Elko, and not a borderline con man like late-career Jimbo Fisher. This game is going to be physical and smashy-smashy with two great defenses and two offenses that are, um, let’s say “figuring it out.”
Around the Nation
North Dakota State at Colorado – 7 PM Thursday on ESPN
This feels like a matchup of a high-flying Colorado team against a brutalizing grinder of a team in the Bison. But, Colorado actually played far slower after Pat Shurmer took over as offensive coordinator in the midway point last year, almost 17 snaps a game slower. That’s a huge slowdown and something to watch as the Buffs look to take the wind out of the sail. North Dakota State is a bit down from their dominant peak, but this is still a physical team and an FCS contender. Will they be able to challenge Colorado’s top-heavy roster?
Boise State at Georgia Southern – 3 PM Saturday on ESPNU
You didn’t think you could get out of here without me talking about a Sun Belt team in a good matchup, did you? These two longtime midmajor powerhouses meet under the blazing Georgia sun in what promises to be a high scoring affair. Boise is one of the consensus favorites to snag the Group of Five playoff spot, but they threw everyone a plot twist when naming the unheralded Maddux Madson as starting quarterback, instead of former five-star recruit and USC transfer Malachi Nelson. Regardless, they should be able to score early and often against a generous Georgia Southern defense. This should be a fun matchup of ground games: Boise’s Ashton Jeanty and Georgia Southern’s Jalen White are two of the most underrated tailbacks in the nation.
Boston College at Florida State – 6:30 PM Monday on ESPN
I’m fascinated by both sides in this game. I’ll watch to see if Florida State can bounce back after taking a tough upset loss in Week Zero. The Noles have a strong roster, but not a perfect one: the defensive line and backfield are excellent, but the linebackers looked weak in Dublin. The offensive line has experience, and the backfield has talent, but the run game sputtered out. DJ Uiagalelei made clutch plays, but also some horrific missed throws. In order to contend, this team will need some creative coaching and razor sharp execution to overcome their glaring deficiencies. That bounce back starts Monday night, against future Mizzou opponent Boston College. Bill O’Brien’s outfit has just the recipe to attack those holes: a dynamic scrambling quarterback in Thomas Castellanos, and a veteran defensive front.
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