Missouri at Vanderbilt injury updates: Thursday availability report revealed

On Saturday, Vanderbilt (6-1, 2-1) will host Missouri (6-1, 2-1) inside FirstBank Stadium. With each team entering the game with only one loss, the contest could have significant implications on the College Football Playoff picture.

Missouri has history on its side in the showdown. The Tigers boast an 11-4-1 all-time record against the Commodores. Moreover, Missouri is on a five-game win streak against Vanderbilt, most recently defeating the Commodores 30-27 last season.

Unfortunately, neither team is expected to be at full-strength for the showdown on Saturday. Look below to see each team’s latest availability report.

Missouri Tigers

• K Blake Craig – Out
• QB Sam Horn – Out

Vanderbilt Commodores

• DL Yilanan Ouattara – Out
• QB Drew Dickey – Out
• RB Chase Gillespie – Out
• DB Vanzale Hinton – Out
• LB Jamison Curtis – Out
• DL Nikhil Jefferson – Out

Vanderbilt bounced back from its loss to Alabama in Week 7 with a 31-24 triumph over LSU this past weekend. In the win, Vanderbilt’s run game was spectacular. The Commodores amassed 239 rushing yards against LSU, the most the Tigers have allowed in a game this season.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia led the team’s ground attack, totaling a team-high 86 rushing yards and two touchdowns. It won’t be easy for Vanderbilt to replicate its success on Saturday against Missouri’s defense.

The Tigers’ defense is only allowing 243 yards of offense per game this season, the fifth-least in college football. Commodores head coach Clark Lea is excited for the challenge ahead of his team.

“We’re excited about the challenge Missouri presents,” Lea said. “We’re excited about the moment we’re in our program. I do think we need to enjoy that. And then we need to just pour in to our preparation and have as much fun as we can have on Saturday. And what I know about this group is I trust them. They care so much about what we’re doing that no matter what comes each week.”

Vanderbilt isn’t the only team with a standout ground game. Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy averages 120 rushing yards per game, the most of any Power Four player in the country.

The Commodores are susceptible to opposing running backs. Alabama’s Jam Miller notched 136 rushing yards against the Commodores. Hardy will look to follow in his footsteps this weekend.

On Saturday, Missouri and Vanderbilt will go head-to-head at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will air live on ESPN.