:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65230796/usa_today_13327420.0.jpg)
Injuries suck. Season-ending injuries suck more. What took place this week around the SEC East was just really unfortunate and unfair.
On Sunday, Kentucky announced that their junior starting quarterback Terry Wilson has been ruled out for the season with a torn patellar tendon and will undergo season-ending surgery. Wilson’s injury happened on a horse-collar tackle against Eastern Michigan on Saturday. Troy transfer Sawyer Smith will replace Terry Wison at quarterback, which is an interesting situation for Mizzou fans to keep an eye on as the Tigers have a date with the Wildcats in Lexington on October 26th.
Also on Sunday, it was announced that South Carolina senior quarterback Jake Bentley will undergo season-ending surgery, potentially ending his college career. Missouri will see freshman quarterback Ryan Hilinski start at Faurot Field coming up in Week 4, right after the Gamecocks play Alabama this Saturday.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19192163/usa_today_13322389.jpg)
Although Gamecock fans are excited to see what the future holds for Hilinski, as they should — he was ranked 66th on the ESPN 300 2019 recruiting rankings. I, for one, was looking forward to a Jake Bentley vs Kelly Bryant re-match from 2017, taking part this time in a different rivalry game. The Hilinksi era in Columbia, South Carolina starts now — which may not necessarily be a bad thing for them with the potential he has — but you have to feel for these quarterbacks playing their hearts out for their programs. These unfortunate circumstances will certainly create a shakeup within the division.
So, what does this exactly mean for Missouri? Well, South Carolina and Kentucky just so happen to be arguably the two most important games on the Tigers’ schedule, and it is even more so now.
It is officially time for Barry Odom to prove that he can beat South Carolina and Kentucky. Taking into account the injuries to Wilson and Bentley have just added more pressure to win both of these games.
It’s a shame that Missouri won’t get South Carolina and Kentucky at full strength at the quarterback position, but injuries are just an evil part of the game, and Missouri could be there to take advantage.