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Missouri Football: Tigers are being vastly overlooked in 2019

By Christen-Lynn Harrington

COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 10: Head coach Barry Odom of the Missouri Tigers prepares to lead his team onto the field for a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Memorial Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 10: Head coach Barry Odom of the Missouri Tigers prepares to lead his team onto the field for a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Memorial Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBIA, SC – OCTOBER 06: Running back Larry Rountree III #34 of the Missouri Tigers evades defensive lineman Rick Sandidge #90 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during the football game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SC – OCTOBER 06: Running back Larry Rountree III #34 of the Missouri Tigers evades defensive lineman Rick Sandidge #90 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during the football game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /

Missouri has some of the best offensive players in the SEC

Kelly Bryant’s arrival brings instant credibility to the Tigers and they shouldn’t miss a beat after finishing No. 3 in the SEC last season in scoring, passing and total offense.

Missouri has had a solid backfield every year under Odom, with three-straight 1,000-yard rushers and was one of the best teams in the SEC at running the ball. Larry Roundtree III is back to improve on his numbers.

He has 1,919 yards on the ground and 17 touchdowns the past two seasons, plus he’s the SEC’s second leading returning rusher. Roundtree III had 100-yard games against Purdue, Memphis, Arkansas and Tennessee last year. He stampeded Oklahoma State’s defense for 204 yards in the Liberty Bowl.

Missouri will have one of the best aerial attacks in the league and Bryant has a plethora of talented pass catchers to throw the ball to. Receivers Johnathon Johnson and Jalen Knox combined for 86 receptions, 1,156 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches.

Albert Okwuegbunam is arguably the best tight end in the SEC, who hauled in 43 passes and his six touchdown grabs tied for a team-best, despite playing in only nine games.

Bryant will be operating behind an offensive line that returns three starters, including senior Tre’Vour Wallace-Sims, who was named first-team All-SEC. The unit allowed an SEC-best, 13 sacks last season. With all the experience, leadership and production returning for the Tigers they have a chance to finish in the top-15 nationally in total offense for a fourth year in a row.

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