During a 1899 speech, U.S. Representative Willard Duncan explained his innate skepticism and need for evidence.
“I come from a state that raises corn and cotton, cockleburs and Democrats, and frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me,” Duncan said. I'm from Missouri, and you have got to show me.”
Just like that, a nickname was born. Missouri would be forever known as the “Show Me” state.
Except, perhaps, for Saturday. Then, Missouri has to “Show Us.”
Missouri is unbeaten in five college football games. The Tigers are ranked No. 14 in the nation. There is talk of reaching the College Football Playoff. There is growing support for running back Ahmad Hardy, the nation’s leader in rushing yardage, as a Heisman contender.
But there are also skeptics who need more evidence that Missouri and Hardy are as good as statistics indicate.
Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Sophomore running back Ahmad Hardy leads the nation with 730 rushing yards. Most recently, he ran for 130 yards on 24 carries in a 42-6 win over UMass.
You see, Missouri’s schedule has been a buffet of cupcakes. Its best victories were hard-fought contests against middling Kansas and South Carolina.
The Tigers scored a long touchdown run in the last two minutes to defeat Big 12 also-ran Kansas, 42-31.
They needed a fourth-quarter rally, which included a field goal with 1:34 remaining, to hold off struggling South Carolina.
Their other victories have come over FCS member Central Arkansas, woeful Louisiana (2-3) and winless Massachusetts.
Hardy does indeed lead the nation with 730 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.
But Louisiana is 131st in the nation in run defense. UMass is 123rd. Kansas is 96th. South Carolina is 70th.
Pardon those who are skeptical. They’ve seen this before.
Last year, Mizzou was 4-0 and ranked No. 9 before getting dismantled by Texas A&M, 41-10. The previous year, they were 5-0 and ranked No. 21 before losing to LSU, 49-39.
That loss to LSU was the last time Missouri fell on its home field. The winning streak in Columbia has grown to 15.
Yet, Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz — like the rest of us — appears somewhat unimpressed by that.
“All we’re looking for is what lies ahead. There’s no reason to beat our chests about it. It’s something we’ve accomplished. I think our whole football team, organization, fan base is really only worried about what we do Saturday at 11 a.m. against a top-10 team in the country.”
- Missouri head football coach Eli Drinkwitz
“At the end of the day, you’re only as good as your next opportunity,” he said. “We don’t sit here and pat ourselves on the back because of what we’ve accomplished in the past.
“All we’re looking for is what lies ahead. There’s no reason to beat our chests about it. It’s something we’ve accomplished. I think our whole football team, organization, fan base is really only worried about what we do Saturday at 11 a.m. against a top-10 team in the country.”
No. 8 Alabama ventures into Faurot Field on Saturday. The Crimson Tide, which is on a four-game winning streak that includes victories over No. 10 Georgia and No. 20 Vanderbilt, provides Missouri a chance for validation.
A victory would show Mizzou really is a playoff contender and likely legitimize Hardy’s Heisman candidacy.
With Hardy leading the way, the Tigers have rushed for more than 200 in every game.
Yet, questions persist. Is that because Hardy is superb or because the opposition has been subpar?
“Honestly, we'll find out this week,” Drinkwitz said. “He's done it his whole career, but the challenge is continuing to grow this week.”
A win over Alabama would provide the evidence that would even convince a skeptic like Rep. Duncan.
Denny Medley-Imagn Images
A win would represent Missouri’s first 6-0 start since 2013 when the Tigers reached their second consecutive SEC Championship Game.
Around the SEC
This week’s games: Florida at No. 5 Texas A&M; No. 8 Alabama at No. 14 Missouri; Washington State at No. 4 Ole Miss; No. 6 Oklahoma vs. Texas (Dallas); No. 10 Georgia at Auburn; South Carolina at No. 11 LSU
Who’s hot: Tennessee receiver Chris Brazzell II. A former three-star recruit from Midland Legacy, Brazzell, who began his college career at Tulane, is tied for the national lead with seven touchdown receptions. He has 31 catches for 531 yards (17.1 per catch) in five games. That includes 100-yard outputs in three of his past four games. This week, he goes against the Arkansas secondary, which has surrendered 987 yards and seven touchdowns in the past three games — losses to Ole Miss, Memphis and Notre Dame.
Who’s not: Auburn’s offensive line has allowed 21 sacks. Fifteen have come in the last two games vs. Oklahoma and Texas A&M. Consequently, the passing game has struggled mightily. The Tigers are 15th in the SEC in passing yards per game at 173.2. To be fair to quarterback Jackson Arnold, the former five-star recruit from Denton Guyer, it’s hard to throw when on the run. Receiver Cam Coleman is a legit standout, but he has just 17 receptions.
Will Huffman, TexAgs
Auburn has not beaten Georgia since 2017 as the Bulldogs have won the “Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry” eight consecutive times.
Keep an eye on: Missouri’s Beau Pribula, a transfer from Penn State, was viewed as a “gadget” quarterback at Happy Valley. He was seen as a great runner but a bad passer. He has indeed been an effective runner for the Tigers. He’s passed exceptionally well, too. Pribula has thrown for 1,203 yards, with nine touchdowns, three picks and a 75.9 completion percentage. As has been previously mentioned, he has faced questionable defenses. Alabama certainly is a huge step up in competition. Pribula’s worst game as a passer came against South Carolina, when he threw for 171 yards, one touchdown, one pick and a 59.3 completion percentage. He’ll probably need to be much better for Missouri to beat Alabama.
The pressure is on: Dare we say Texas coach Steve Sarkisian? The Longhorns made the College Football Playoff last season and were preseason No. 1 this year, but they already have two losses. One more loss and hopes for a second consecutive CFP bid will likely be gone. Sarkisian’s offense had been quite good at running the ball this season until last week’s loss to Florida. The Gators put seven in the box to shut down the run and basically dared Arch Manning to throw. The Longhorns managed just 52 rushing yards, with just 15 coming from the running backs. In addition to stuffing the run, the Gators pounded on Manning, sacking him six times and getting 10 more quarterback hurries. Oklahoma coach Brent Venables probably follows the same game plan. How does Sarkisian adjust?
Best matchup: LSU rushing game vs. South Carolina rushing game. Obviously, this facet of each team’s offense won’t be going head-to-head, but regardless, watch the running games. They’re the two least rushing offenses in the SEC. LSU averages 104.8 rushing yards per game. South Carolina averages 99.8. Yet, they’re a combined 7-0 when outrushing their opponent. By the way, both teams have been solid in run defense.
