The Countdown is On.

College Football is happening THIS MONTH. Can you believe it? I thought we had all this time still to prepare our coverage at the site, and enjoy the quiet a bit longer, no matter how hard it was to find links at times. But we’re back, babyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. Hell, we’re so busy right now that Josh forgot to finish up and post his links til later Tuesday AM, ha!

Let’s get started. I don’t have much to add regarding my own thoughts here. I’m more of a football spectator than commenter, so I’ll chime in only minimally.

ABC17 Sports Director Nathalie Jones, doing the lord’s work, provided us with QB battle fodder— everyone’s favorite!! [side note: you’ll have to wait for later in the week for Rock M’s QB takes]

Dave Matter (STL Today) wrote a great article on Blake Baker’s defense, whose biggest competition might just be their expectations after beating projections a year ago. In case you’ve forgotten — who am I kidding, y’all are a smart bunch— many draft-eligible upperclassmen chose to come back, including Darius Robinson, Hop, KAD, and Rake. Per Matter, 12/16 players who played 300 defensive snaps last year return and so yeah... we’re all expecting great things this season. Also per Matter:

“We want to be the best in the country,” Baker, 41, said this week. “And that’s everybody’s goal going into the season. We have to prove it. Talking season’s over. These guys are hungry and motivated. We have to prove that we are the best in the country.”

Perhaps we’ll see a more prepared team for the rematch against Kansas State? The team certainly is optimistic they will be far better prepared this time around.

“I go back and look at look at some of the plays versus Kansas State last year where we maybe ran a call versus a play that they had never (seen), and we really just didn’t know how to react,” Baker said. “I think a lot of those cobwebs have been knocked out over the year and over the summer. ... A lot of our guys already know what to do and how to do it. Now they need to learn how an offense is trying to attack you. When they present a certain picture what are they trying to do?”

Anyway, the article is great, as you knew it would be with Matter’s name in the byline, and you should check it out.

And finally, we move on to Watch Season.

Ty’Ron Hopper and KAD were named to the Bronco Nagurski Trophy Watchlist, which is awarded by the FWAA for the best defensive player in CFB. Ben Arnet gave a little snippet of the duo below. (Side note: I keep clicking on that damn X thinking it’s going to close the tweet. Damn Elon.)

Not to be outdone, Javon Foster was also named to a watchlist awarded by FWAA. This time, it’s the Outland Trophy, which is given to CFB’s best interior lineman on offense or defense. Arnet again shows us his stuff:

On to the Links!

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Yesterday at Rock M: A LOT

• Another day, another RB question: Should Mizzou lean on one running back or go with a committee? (by Josh, Parker, Nate, Jaden, and Quentin)
• BK & Nate previewed the RUNNING BACKS.... cuz it’s RB Week
• It’s Roster Math time, and Nate (very busy on Tuesday) has some thoughts
• SBN Reacts: Who is Missouri’s starting QB this season?
• IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Sam and Friend of the Pod Blake Lovell chatted SEC hoops offseasons | RB Question #1 w/ Josh, Parker, Nate and Jaden

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More Links:

Football

• Hey, YOU. Single game tickets are on sale now for the Mizzou’s seven home game slate. Per MUTigers.com, go buy some tix now!

Thursday, Aug. 31 vs. South Dakota (7 p.m.) BUY NOW

Saturday, Sept. 9 vs. Middle Tennessee (6 p.m.) BUY NOW

Saturday, Sept. 16 vs. Kansas State (11 a.m.) BUY NOW

Saturday, Oct. 7 vs. LSU (TBA) BUY NOW

Saturday, Oct. 21 vs. South Carolina (Homecoming / TBA) BUY NOW

Saturday, Nov. 11 vs. Tennessee (TBA) BUY NOW

Saturday, Nov. 18 vs. Florida (TBA) BUY NOW

• St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Mizzou Football’s return to St. Louis could be just the start— if all goes well (Ben Fred) | How ‘Air Raid’ disciple Brandon Jones arrived to fix Mizzou Football’s offensive line (Dave Matter) | Why Blake Baker’s Mizzou defense now embraces the burden of expectations (Matter) | Too early to call Mizzou’s QB battle but upgrades in talent, depth become clear (Matter)
• What a highlight

• KOMU/Missourian: Three Tigers believe on preseason watchlists
• The Athletic: College Football recruiting index: Time to panic at Colorado, Missouri, Michigan State? (Antonio Morales)

Panic level: In need of in-state help— Missouri

As of Monday, the Tigers didn’t have a commitment from any of the state’s top 15 players, let alone the top 10. Former Mizzou coach Barry Odom, who is now the head coach at UNLV, holds a commitment from the state’s No. 10 player, linebacker Melvin Laster (No. 448 nationally). There are a few months for that to change, but Eli Drinkwitz, who hasn’t won more than six games in a season during his three years at Missouri, will have to get the ball rolling soon.

Missouri did get official visits in June from the two in-state five-star prospects — defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri and wide receiver Ryan Wingo — but isn’t considered a favorite in either recruitment.

There’s more to this story, and you should check it out, but I personally thought Mizzou is firmly in the mix for Nwaneri, right? And Wingo? But especially Nwaneri? Maybe I should read my writers’ work more clearly... Or maybe this is a poorly-researched take by someone who isn’t a Mizzou-specific reporter...

• Columbia Tribune: How former Tiger Isaiah McGuire ties Mizzou’s defensive end unit together (Calum McAndrew)

Side Note: Chris found his new Matt! Calum McAndrew, who are likely familiar with already from his work at both the Post-Dispatch and the Missourian, is taking Matt Stahl’s place as the new Mizzou beat writer. I’m excited. He’s a great writer, and from reports (I haven’t met him IRL), a cool human. Here’s his Welcome piece. Already off to a bangin’ start.

• PowerMizzou: Mizzou football notebook: Running backs trying to take the next step (Jarod Hamilton) | 5 bold predictions for Missouri football in 2023 (Hamilton) | Jarod also went on McElroy & Cubelic in the AM to preview camp
• Transfer Portal CFB: From Division II to SEC, Cody Schrader Finding a Home With Missouri Tigers (Parker Gillam)

And while you’re at it, check out the SEC Preview Podcast from Transfer Portal CFB. First up, they’re previewing the almighty SEC, featuring some familiar faces— Dan “Firestarter” Keegan and Parker Gillam!

Hoops

• A few Missouri visitors on the horizon:

• Get to know Angie!

• PowerMizzou: Summer Sessions: Jesus Carralero | Caleb Grill | Connor Vanover | Tamar Bates | John Tonje (Drew King)

Other Mizzou Sports

• Hear from Tim Jamieson about coming home and new Mizzou TSF leader Blair DeBord on where college sports are heading.

• Alex Honnold finds herself, not surprisingly, in D1 Softball’s top 100. It’s a subscriber-only post, but she is ranked in the 11-20 range. WTG, Al Pal! Additionally, 14 — yes, 14 — Tigers were named Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Ahletes! Congrats to Katie, Kendal, Kara, Maddie, Cierra, Vanessa, Alex, Jayci, Addie, Kayley, Hannah, Emma, and the Megans (Moll & Schumacher). Awardees had to have a 3.5 GPA or higher to be eligible.

• Welcome, Skylar Coffey! The Tennessee transfer throws both the discus and the shot put. he finished 7th at the discus (outdoor) and 11th at shot put (indoor) at the SEC Championships. Coffey is also a HS Wrestling All-American and two-time TN state champ!
• Next stop for new Tiger Marissa McCann… CoMo!

• This is cool. Mizzou student-athletes had a chance to tour some industry locales in StL.

• A little bonding for Mizzou Soccer, a little practice, and new merch for a new season (I’m jealous of those panda Dunks, ahhhhh)

Mizzou in the Pros/Former Tigers

• Love to see it, Isaiah & Jordan! Per Aaron, Elliott is on the first string, and McGuire is on the third.

• Also, congrats to Yasir Durant, who has signed with the Broncos.

• Boogie Coleman is on the move again after graduating from Ball State in late July. Best of luck, sir!

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