For the second straight week, Tyler Badie is leading the way in our MV3 ballots.
The senior running back was an obvious choice after his 200+ yard performance against Central Michigan, and Kentucky offered a good test against his feature back credentials. However, Badie came up big once again, getting several first place votes and appearing on every ballot cast.
But Badie isn’t the only one topping this week’s ballot. For the first time this season, we have a tie by points for the weekly MV3 crown. And rounding out our ballot is another first-timer, bringing the total number of Mizzou players to land on this list to 5.
T-1. Tyler Badie
If there were any lingering doubts that Tyler Badie was capable of being a bellcow running back, consider them dissipated. Badie was once again electric, totaling 149 all-purpose yards, including 88 through the air, and a third-and-long touchdown that tied the game in the fourth quarter. Inexplicably, Badie only got 14 carries in the running game and was seemingly relegated to blocking duty in the final drive... but you can’t place that on him. When No. 1 was called upon in Lexington, he answered.
T-1. Connor Bazelak
In his first full game in a hostile environment, the sophomore didn’t exactly pass the eye test with flying colors. He tallied only 5.8 yards per attempt and threw a brutal interception that hampered Mizzou’s chances at a comeback at the top of the second half. But you can almost forget those things because of one truth — when Mizzou needed him, he came up big. Every time the game seemed on the brink of collapse, Bazelak led the Tigers for a methodical drive that would keep them close. And when Kentucky’s offense slightly stalled, the sophomore led the way toward getting Missouri a chance to win. The last drive was a deflating end, but Bazelak was laboring through some sort of injury. Hopefully he doesn’t have to do too much against SEMO next weekend.
3. JC Carlies
The sophomore from Orlando wasn’t on many radars coming into this offseason, but he’s quickly proving to be one of Mizzou’s most dependable playmakers on defense. For the second week in a row, Carlies came up with a timely interception... and then he added an even more timely forced fumble to boot. Like the entire defense, Carlies’ night wasn’t perfect. But if Steve Wilks’ defense is going to rely on turnovers and chaos early on, Carlies has shown he’s up to the task.
Others receiving votes: Daniel Parker Jr.
How about you? Who were your most valuable players this week? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter at @RockMNation.