Mizzou football vs. Memphis: Five things to know before the Tigers play on Saturday

Maddie Hartley
·2 min read
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Mizzou’s Harrison Mevis kicked the Tigers to their first 3-0 start since 2018 with an SEC-record 61-yard field goal as the clock ran out against No. 15 Kansas State last Saturday.

The Tigers’ 30-27 victory was the first ranked win at home for the program since 2020.

Riding off the high of the back-and-forth thriller against the Wildcats, the Tigers now head to St. Louis for a Tigers vs. Tigers matchup with Memphis.

In a battle of undefeateds, Memphis enters the matchup coming off a 28-24 win over Navy. This will be the fifth meeting all-time between the teams and first since 2018.

Here’s what you need to know before Saturday…

Game details

Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23.

Where: The Dome at America’s Center (St. Louis)

TV: ESPNU

Radio: Tiger Radio Network

Early betting line: Mizzou is a 6.5-point favorite. The over/under is set at 51.5.

Five things to know

  1. After last week’s career-day against Kansas State, quarterback Brady Cook is questionable for Saturday. Cook put up a career-high 356 yards on 23-for-35 passing with two touchdowns to help lead the Tigers over the Wildcats. But the lingering effects of a knee sprain sustained in the contest have him down as a question mark against Memphis. If ruled out, Mizzou will point to redshirt-freshman and former four-star recruit Sam Horn.

  2. Saturday is the first “Mizzou to the Lou” contest since 2010. The Tigers make their return to St. Louis this week, their first since the final game of the Arch Rivalry Series against Illinois. In its last appearance at The Dome at America’s Center, Mizzou topped the Fighting Illini 23-13. The return is part of Mizzou’s new partnership with the St. Louis Sports Commission to host several Mizzou athletic events in the St. Louis Area during 2023-24.

  3. The Tigers are set up for their strongest start in 10 years. A win over Memphis will put Mizzou at 4-0 for the first time since 2013. Under hall of fame head coach Gary Pinkel, the Tigers finished out that season 12-2 with a 41-31 Cotton Bowl victory over Oklahoma State.

  4. Memphis is currently ranked No. 7 in total defense. Through three games, they’re allowing just 13.6 points per game, and the yardage totals are impressive. Memphis is allowing 245.7 yards per game and 3.9 yards per carry.

  5. Memphis RB Blake Watson might run all over Mizzou. With 295 rushing yards this season, Watson is coming off a performance against the Navy Midshipmen in which he recorded 169 yards on 10 carries with one touchdown. His 7.4 yards per carry rank No. 10 in college football in that category.