Wyoming @ Missouri preview
Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium
After breezing through its season opener, Missouri expects to find out more about its team when it hosts Wyoming on Saturday. The Tigers rolled to a 51-14 victory over UT Martin last week, but they expect a strong challenge from the Cowboys, who already have two games under their belt.
After opening the season with a 29-7 win at New Mexico State on Aug. 25, Wyoming let things get away in the fourth quarter of a 41-19 loss to Washington State last week. Now it takes on a Missouri team that was nearly flawless in its opener, going turnover-free and committing only four penalties. “We’re going to prepare the same way. I’ve been telling that to everybody,” Missouri linebacker Cale Garrett told reporters. “This week was the Super Bowl for us. Next week is going to be another Super Bowl for us. As long as we prepare the same way, we’re going to perform our best. I like that versus anybody, really. That’s going to give us the best shot at winning.” Missouri scored on eight of its first nine possessions last week as star quarterback Drew Lock passed for 289 yards and four touchdowns.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: Missouri -18.5
ABOUT WYOMING (1-1): The Cowboys led 19-13 late in the third quarter last week before the Cougars poured it on in the final period. Wyoming has a major weapon in running back Nico Evans, who has rolled up 279 yards and three touchdowns on the ground through two games. The Cowboys boasted one of the nation’s best defenses a year ago and have been solid against the run so far this season, allowing just 33 rushing yards per contest.
ABOUT MISSOURI (1-0): The Tigers figure to have one of the nation’s most dangerous passing attacks with Lock back at the helm, and he didn’t disappoint in just over one half of play last week. Ten different players caught passes for Missouri, which would like to get a little more out of running backs Larry Rountree III and Damarea Crockett after averaging a mediocre 3.7 yards per carry against the Skyhawks. The revamped defense had a solid debut with five tackles for loss and three sacks but will face a stiffer test this week.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Missouri has scored at least 45 points in each of its last seven regular-season games, winning each contest.
2. Lock has recorded 8,984 career passing yards and surpassed Brad Smith for second place on Missouri’s all-time list last week, putting him behind only Chase Daniel (12,515).
3. Wyoming has not faced an SEC opponent since posting a 13-7 victory at Tennessee in 2008, its third win in its last four meetings with teams from the conference.
PREDICTION: Missouri 33, Wyoming 20