14 in 14: Missouri
2020 was a building year for Missouri and first-year head coach Eli Drinkwitz.
By: Bossman Slim
After a 6-6 season in 2019 and NCAA penalties, Missouri fired Barry Odom in search of a fresh start. It was the last connection to the Gary Pinkel era for the program, and Mizzou sought to go outside the block M family to find a successor. Enter 37-year-old Eli Drinkwitz, a one-year wonder from Appalachian State who rose quickly through the coaching ranks. In his only season in Boone, he led the Mountaineers to a 12-1 season and a Sun Belt title. Could he bring some of that magic back to a once-proud Missouri program?
The jury is still out on that, but the Tigers showed life in Drinkwitz’s first year at the helm. Though a 5-5 record isn’t any better on paper than Barry Odom’s .500 record in his last season, Drinkwitz did win two more SEC games than Odom. We know, we know, it was an all-SEC schedule, so there were more chances. But that doesn’t change the fact that Drinkwitz pulled off 5 SEC wins. Going into 2021, there is reason for optimism in Columbia.
Here’s a reminder on our rating system - it’s 1-12 biscuits. One being Vanderbilt that tastes like a 150-year-old tack biscuit from the Civil War, while 12 is on top of the world, a perennial power like Grandma’s recipe that’s topped with a little butter and melts in your mouth. Top of the game. You can find the full rating system in our first 14-in-14 on Florida.
So what is the verdict on Mizzou?
State of the Program is...Building; 6/12 biscuits
Eliah Drinkwitz put down some solid building blocks in year one. (Photo: St. Louis Times Dispatch)
Barry Odom did not leave a turnkey Ferrari for Drinkwitz, but the cupboard was not bare, either. In season one in Columbia, Drinkwitz’s goal was to get the buy-in of the team, steal a few solid wins, and build the cultural foundation for the future. He did just that. Not much was expected of the Tigers in his first year, but getting to .500 with an all-SEC schedule and finishing 3rd in the SEC East was better than expected (though a team finishing 3rd in the East with a .500 record shows you just how much the bottom fell out after Florida and Georgia).
Drinkwitz also proved himself as a tactician. Mizzou found multiple ways to win and adjusted their gameplan to their opponent as well as anyone in the conference. LSU was a high-flying offense, and Drinkwitz knew the Tigers would have to win in a track meet. They did exactly that. Against ground and pound Kentucky, Mizzou slowed the game down and played ball control beat the Wildcats at their own game. Their time of possession was 43 minutes to Kentucky’s 17, and they outrushed a run-dependent Wildcats team 220 yards to 95.
The Tigers are also building on the ever-important recruiting front. The 2020 class was ranked 51st, but Drinkwitz closed 2021 with the 28th best class in the country. While this was only good for 11th in the SEC, Missouri prides itself on finding diamonds in the rough and developing players. And as of right now, Drinkwitz has Missouri trending upward in the 2022 class, with the Tigers ranked in the top 20 in the 247 Sports composite rankings and 6th in the SEC. Drinkwitz is building something special, rock by white rock.
What went right in 2020
Photo: Jay Biggerstaff, USA Today Sports
As we noted above, the Tigers found a way to win 5 games in SEC play, and they did it in multiple ways. This is an encouraging sign for the future. Mizzou also found their quarterback of the future in freshman Connor Bazelak, who finished 5th in yards and 6th in completion percentage in the SEC in his first year under center. This should only improve as he gets more comfortable in the system and his decision-making quickens. Larry Rountree III was also a workhorse at running back, churning out 972 yards on 209 carries and 14 TDs. That touchdown stat was good for 3rd in the SEC behind Heisman finalist Najee Harris and South Carolina’s Kevin Harris.
On defense, a few stalwarts emerged in senior Nick Bolton, who led the team with 95 tackles and 5 passes defended. Sophomore’s Devin Nicholson and Martez Manuel also made their mark, with Nicholson coming in as the second leading tackler and Manuel coming in third while posting 2.5 sacks. Trajan Jeffcoat, another sophomore, was a force on the defensive line, grabbing 6 sacks to lead the team.
What went wrong in 2020
Getting their ass handed to them by top-tier opponents was all too common in 2020. (Photo: Cassie Florido)
Well, the 5 losses. And some head-scratching ones at that. Tennessee by 23? Mississippi State by 19? Not great. It was also discouraging that in their other three losses, to Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, the games were not close. The Tigers got taken behind the woodshed by the bullies of the SEC, losing by 19, 24, and 35, respectively (actually disrespectfully). It showed that the program is still far away from their early days in the SEC when they made back-to-back SEC championship games in 2013 and 2014.
If Conor Bazelak is to grow into the star he can be, he is going to need help in a few areas that were lacking in 2020. The offensive line was average this year and needs improvement. Larry Rountree III had the second-most carries in the conference this year but failed to break the 1,000-yard mark. That is on the offensive line. Sixteen sacks were also given up. Bazelak needs to be upright more if he is going to make plays. Finally, the receiving corps left much to be desired. The ball was distributed well among wide receivers, with 6 going over the 200-yard mark. None, however, hit 500 yards and the offense lacked a go-to receiver.
What the Tigers need in 2021
Young talent needs to step up. There are solid foundational pieces in Bazelak and the three-headed monster on defense of Nicholson, Manuel, and Jeffcoat. Missouri will need to see them progress if they are to build on their .500 record in 2021 and continue an upward trajectory. Replacing the production and leadership of Rountree III will be a tall task, but a few young options are waiting in the wings for their turn. The offensive line was average last year and needs to continue improving for Mizzou to ascend.
How they can earn some extra biscuits
Develop the foundation and the new blood and double down on the culture Drinkwitz is building. Finish strong in the 2022 recruiting cycle after a solid 2021 season. Missouri’s schedule is favorable in 2021, and they will have a golden opportunity to make a statement and solidify themselves as the challengers to Florida and Georgia in the East. Continue improving, post a winning record, and show you can play with the beasts of the East. That will earn those extra biscuits.
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