The LSU Tigers and Missouri Tigers are set to square off in this SEC cage match of two ranked opponents.
LSU is fresh off of a 55-49 loss to Ole Miss and has to make up ground in the SEC standings. On the flip side, Missouri is 5-0 after a 38-21 win over Vanderbilt and off to their best start since 2013.
What Channel Airs the LSU-Missouri Game?
LSU @ Missouri
- Start time: 12 p.m. ET
- Channel: ESPN
- Odds: LSU -4
- Over/Under Total: 65
Make no mistake, this catfight is going to feature plenty of fireworks. LSU enters this game with a top-10 offense in total yards, passing, and scoring and just missed the top-25 in rushing (26th). They are tied for third in the country in third-down conversion percentage. These Tigers have put up over 500 yards in all but one game (459 against Florida State) and over 600 in two of their five games so far.
Led by quarterback Jayden Daniels, LSU’s offense has taken over every game they’ve been in. Daniels is third in the country in passing yards at 1,710 and is tied with Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. for second place in passing touchdowns at 16. Daniels also has 292 yards on the ground and three rushing touchdowns.
LSU’s QB1 has displayed excellent ability downfield and has clearly taken another step forward in his second season with the Tigers. His touch and accuracy have improved, he’s more aggressive as a passer this season, and his development has taken LSU’s offense to new heights.
It doesn’t hurt to have wide receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., who have both been stellar for LSU. This duo has combined for over 1,000 receiving yards already, and they’ve already gotten their paws on a whopping 13 touchdowns between the two of them. Nabers’ speed and hands have been tremendous this season and are a big reason why he will likely hear his name called early in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Tasked with stopping LSU’s group of Thundercats on offense is a Missouri defense that is led by plenty of veterans. Cornerbacks Kris Abrams-Draine and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. are both seniors, and so is star linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper. Abrams-Draine and Rakestraw have combined to allow just two touchdowns and just 116 yards on the season.
Hopper’s athleticism and physical playstyle make him a force in the run game. He’s fourth in the SEC in run stops and leads the Tigers in tackles. Hopper has also broken up two passes on the season.
While Missouri’s defense has been pretty solid (eighth in rushing defense, 29th in total yards allowed), the story of this season has been their offense. With new offensive coordinator Kirby Moore in town, Missouri’s offense has evolved into a sensational passing attack.
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Led by senior quarterback Brady Cook, Missouri has topped 500 yards of total offense in each of their past two games. Cook broke the SEC record for the most pass attempts without an interception and hasn’t thrown an INT in his last 348 passes.
While he isn’t draft-eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft, wide receiver Luther Burden III steals the show whenever Missouri takes the field. Burden leads the country in receiving yards, and it isn’t an exaggeration to say Missouri’s offense runs through him. Alongside him is wide receiver Theo Wease Jr., a former five-star who transferred to Missouri from Oklahoma.
Wease is eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft, however. He has shown great hands and contested catch ability throughout this season and has the toughness to pick up tough yards and fight through contact.
Protecting Cook is left tackle Javon Foster, who is in his third year as a starter and is an impressive athlete. Flashing great movement skills and improved technique, Foster has allowed just four pressures and one sack this season.
For LSU defensively, this unit features NFL talent across their front seven. Their defensive line is anchored by Maason Smith, arguably the best defensive tackle in the upcoming NFL Draft, and Mekhi Wingo, who is fourth in the SEC in total pressures among defensive tackles. Transfer linebacker Omar Speights returned last week to help the Tigers as well.
