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Move on over, Larry Rountree III, there’s a new number one in town! OK, you actually don’t have to move that far over, just a few steps to the left.
After Mizzou’s thrilling 45-41 win over LSU, there’s been a slight shakeup to the MV3 ballots this week. Technically, it’s a purely aesthetic change, as all we’ve done is shuffle where each player fits. But it was an easy decision to make — all of our Rock M Nation staffers placed the same man atop their ballots this week. And I’d absolutely love to hear the case for anyone else.
1. Connor Bazelak
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To quote Jeff Winger, in possibly my favorite all-time sitcom, “Hold on, let me take an extra strength Vitamin Duh.”
Connor Bazelak silenced any doubters (this writer included!) with a truly astounding performance, completing 85 percent of his passes for 400+ yards and 4 touchdowns. It may have been the single most impressive performance from a Tiger QB since Drew Lock went into The Swamp and took down Florida in 2018... and there’s a case that this was even more gutsy.
There’s no doubting it now. Mizzou has found its QB of the future. Maybe there will be some bumps along the way. But the MV3 doesn’t care about those. All it cares about is that scintillating stat line that Bazelak put up in his second career start.
Also he’s a freshman. People forget that.
2. Nick Bolton
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Ho hum, another heroic performance from a future NFL regular. Even while battling injury, Bolton was a force on the gridiron, logging 10+ tackles (again) and making the most important play the second most important play of the game when he broke up a pass to Terrace Marshall, Jr. during Mizzou’s final stand.
Can we give him an All-American designation and be done with it already?
3. Larry Rountree
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Larry Rountree III is having perhaps the most unspectacular spectacular career of any Tiger running back in the 21st century. The senior made charcuterie of the LSU defense, carving them up for 119 yards on only 18 carries. He was shaking off some tackles like he was made of grease and running through others like the freaking Juggernaut.
Also, he’s now Mizzou’s fourth all-time leading rusher. Because of course he is. Only a back like Rountree could overshadow Tyler Badie, who accounted for two touchdowns against LSU. Not that he’s actually overshadowing Badie in any way — but you’d be hard pressed to look at Rountree’s numbers so far and say he’s not one of the very best backs in college football.
Others receiving votes: Joshuah Bledsoe, Jalen Knox, Tauskie Dove
Now it’s your turn! Tell us who your MV3 are in the comments or on Twitter!