SEC Championship 2014: Bold Predictions for Missouri in Title Game

The Missouri Tigers defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks 21-14 Friday, clinching a berth in the SEC championship game. The Tigers were the better offensive team throughout the contest, and then their defense clamped down to seal the game; they established themselves as legitimate SEC title contenders.

Of course, they'll have their hands full with the winner of the SEC West. That side of the conference has been highly competitive this season, and Missouri will be awaiting their fate as Saturday will decide if the Tigers will face the Alabama Crimson Tide or Mississippi State Bulldogs.

While we may not know which team Missouri will be facing just yet, we do know the Tigers' tendencies on the field. This allows some speculation into some bold predictions for the team that will undoubtedly be considered the big underdog in the SEC championship game.

Maty Mauk Passes for 300 Yards, Three Touchdowns

Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images

The Tigers had a rough stretch in the middle of the season due to some down performances from their signal-caller; however, Mauk got back on track and played well over the last five games of the regular season. He's poised to come away with a big game in the championship, and here's why.

Missouri has begun to rely more often on the sophomore quarterback. He's attempted at least 40 passes in two of the team's last three games. The only other time he reached that mark was in September against Indiana in a shootout.

Expect that high volume of passes to continue against either Alabama or Mississippi State due to the strength against the run of both defenses. The Crimson Tide ranks second in the nation, allowing an average of just 85.3 yards per game and just two rushing touchdowns all season long. The Bulldogs are ranked 18th, allowing 119.4 rushing yards per game and just eight touchdowns on the ground this year.

SEC Network tweeted another great reason why this team will continue to rely on Mauk, especially late in the game:

Keep an eye on Maty Mauk! The @MizzouFootball QB leads the #SEC with 7 TD passes in the 4th quarter. #ARKvsMIZZ http://pic.twitter.com/LKqbeYslpq

- SEC Network (@SECNetwork) November 28, 2014

If the Tigers are to keep up with those teams, they will have to do so through the air. Missouri will lean heavily on its quarterback, and Mauk will answer the call.

Marcus Murphy Tallies 100 Yards from Scrimmage, Touchdown

USA TODAY Sports

The senior running back earned his second consecutive SEC East title, and he'll be an instrumental part of Missouri's game plan against its opposition from the other half of the conference. So, here's the question you may be asking: Why Murphy instead of Russell Hansbrough?

Chip Towers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweeted the answer:

Goes double without Hansbrough, who was just carted off with leg injury.

- AJC UGA (@ChipTowersAJC) November 28, 2014

Hansbrough was injured in the waning seconds of Missouri's clash with Arkansas. He needed to be carted off the field as time expired, and that's never a good sign for any running back. Even if his injury doesn't turn out to be overly serious, it's fair to assume he may be limited in the championship game.

Enter Murphy.

Last year, Murphy only carried four times against Auburn in the championship game, but he did record three receptions for 40 yards and a touchdown. Expect him to produce in the same fashion this time around.

Both Alabama and Mississippi State are good at sitting back in coverage and looking for a potential takeaway. The Crimson Tide have accumulated nine interceptions this season, and the Bulldogs have notched 14. To protect from these ball-hawking secondaries, watch for the Tigers to throw underneath.

Murphy has seen increased usage in this department late in the season, catching five passes against Texas A&M and four against Arkansas. In those two games, he tallied 111 and 85 yards, respectively. If his role does increase, there's no reason to think he can't do the same against a very stout SEC West defense.

Missouri Defense Holds Opposing Quarterback Under 200 Passing Yards

Kyle Rivas/Getty Images

The Tigers have been very good against the pass this season. Through 11 games, they allowed an average of just 210.5 passing yards per game, ranking 37th in the nation. That number will get even lower following Friday's contest against Arkansas.

Missouri gave Razorbacks quarterback Brandon Allen fits. He completed just 13 of his 30 passing attempts for 133 yards, averaging just 4.4 yards per attempt. He did tally two touchdowns, but both were early in the game.

After entering halftime completing seven of his 10 passing attempts for 77 yards and two scores, Missouri clamped down. Allen completed just six of his 20 passing attempts for 56 yards in the second half.

Mizzou Football tweeted a comment on the team's best player in its secondary during the game:

Arkansas with its second false start of the drive, and Kenya Dennis with a nice breakup on an island.

- Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) November 28, 2014

One big reason for this team's success in this department this year has been the addition of Kenya Dennis. The 6'1' cornerback has the tools to keep up with talented receivers, and that will go a long way against the likes of either Amari Cooper or De'Runnya Wilson.

While Blake Sims and Dak Prescott have succeeded as passers this season, there's reason to believe Missouri can limit their yards through the air.

Sims hasn't eclipsed 222 passing yards in his three November contests, and Prescott only threw for more than 206 yards in November just once due to a season-high 48 passing attempts against Alabama. Considering the recently limited amount of production through the air from these signal-callers, and the fine play by Missouri's secondary of late, this isn't an unattainable feat.

All defensive rankings courtesy of NCAA.com and current as of November 28 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Lokasi:

Share :