Missouri DC Blake Baker Talks Challenges of Scouting Ohio State After Transfer Portal Departures

Missouri Tigers defensive coordinator Blake Baker said preparing for the Ohio State Buckeyes is different without Kyle McCord and Julian Fleming.

Missouri Tigers defensive coordinator Blake Baker already had a challenge ahead of him when it was announced his guys would battle the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2023 Goodyear Cotton Bowl.

After several notable Buckeyes announced their entrance into the transfer portal, the difficulty of the task for Baker and the Tigers increased.

Baker and his guys now had to scout a different set of Scarlet and Gray players, whom had less tape than the season-long starters. Despite the changes to personnel, Baker said readying his squad for Friday's game against Ohio State was no different than they had done all year.

"It's about us," Baker said. "And every week that's what we talk about, a nameless, faceless opponent. And at the end of the day, whoever goes on the is who we have to defend. So, I think our guys are excited about the challenge. Again, when you look at how much talent they have on offense, I think our guys are -- it perked their antennas up a little bit when they watched the tape and see how talented they are. Again, regardless of who comes out on the field Friday night, our guys will be ready to go."

Baker and his defense have found themselves having to change strategy and prepare for sophomore Devin Brown after junior Kyle McCord transferred to Syracuse earlier this month. Brown has different tools in his toolbox than McCord, which Baker said is something for which he has had to watch out.

"We mostly looked at what he has done this year," Baker said. "I think he had 76 snaps or something on the season. And then you blend that with what they already do and maybe some things differently they may do based off of his skill set."

Baker ended with a joke, saying Brown's performance in high school was not on his watch list.

"No, I didn't go back and check out his Hudl highlight tape," Baker said.