First Glance At Missouri

South Carolina's football team will face off against the 20th-ranked Missouri Tigers this weekend, and we're gonna take an early look into the matchup.

The South Carolina Gamecocks week eight opponent, the Missouri Tigers, have roared out of the gates this season, making their presence known in the college football landscape. With a strong 6-1 start and a 2-1 record in conference play, the Tigers have clawed their way to the 20th spot in the AP Poll and show no signs of slowing down.

The Tigers' offense, led by the dynamic duo of quarterback Brady Cook and wide receiver Luther Burden, has been a strong force. Cook already ranks 6th nationally in terms of passing yards with 2,046. His main target, Burden, currently sits at 2nd nationally in receiving yards with 808. This lethal one-two punch has been a nightmare for opposing defenses.

Luther Burden Celebrating :: Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images

The Missouri offense has been firing on all cylinders, averaging an impressive 33.9 points per game. They've racked up 445 total yards per game with a balanced attack that sees 305 yards coming through the air and 140 yards via the ground. This balance has made them unpredictable and difficult to contain, adding another dimension to their potent offense.

However, things haven't always been great on the defensive side of the ball. The Tigers' defense has shown they can be scored on, conceding an average of 24.9 points per game and 345 yards, with 227 yards coming through the air and 118 on the ground. While there's room for improvement, this defense has shown it can make crucial stops when needed.

Currently, oddsmakers are favoring the Tigers by 7.5 points in this matchup, which will likely be a high-octane, high-scoring affair—potentially turning it into a first-to-40-points-wins kind of game.

Missouri's performances so far have displayed a cohesive, determined, and talented team. They've set a high bar for the rest of the season, and if they can maintain this level of play, there's every reason to believe we'll be seeing a lot more of the Tigers in the late stages of the season. However, Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks tend to 'win games they shouldn't.'

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