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Missouri Football: Is this Barry Odom’s last season with the Tigers?

By Justin Dottavio

COLUMBIA, MO - SEPTEMBER 23: Head coach Barry Odom of the Missouri Tigers leads players onto the field prior to the game against the Auburn Tigers at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MO - SEPTEMBER 23: Head coach Barry Odom of the Missouri Tigers leads players onto the field prior to the game against the Auburn Tigers at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Defense

The Tigers have a former defensive coordinator as a head coach but slumped down to 90th overall per the S&P+ defensive rankings. Barry Odom has to improve his defense in order to keep his job in 2019 as Missouri fans were accustomed to winning seasons in Columbia. Missouri has been a “havoc” team for the past decade which is tackles for loss, forced fumbles and passes defensed.

Three havoc players are back in Terez Hall, Terry Beckner Jr. and Cale Garrett. This trio of defenders totaled 33.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, and three interceptions. Beckner Jr is a 305-pound defensive tackle that leads a rotation of really good tackles. Defensive ends Tre’ Williams and Chris Turner have legit size but only sacked the quarterback 3.5 times in 2017.

The Strength

The linebackers are the strength of the Mizzou defense. Garrett made 99 tackles, Hall 80, and Brandon Lee had 40 stops and an interception. All three could be in the NFL in 2019 so this is a make or break year for Odom and his 4-3 defense.

In the back four there’s a mix of underclassmen and seniors but all have playing experience. Sophomore Adam Sparks returns from a year ago where he intercepted two passes and had four passes defensed with 33 tackles. DeMarkus Acy, a junior, made 48 tackles last season at the other cornerback position.

At safety, Cam Hilton and Joshua Bledsoe both return from a year ago where they played but didn’t start all season. They combined to make 29 tackles but didn’t intercept a pass or log a pass breakup in 2017. If Kaleb Prewett can return from suspension that’s 59 tackles (four tackles for loss) and an interception coming back to the Tigers defense.

Tyrone Collins, a three-star cornerback prospect from Braden River High School in Florida, could get playing time as a fourth corner as a freshman.

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