KSR's Kentucky vs. Missouri Predictions

by:KSR•09/11/21

It’s football time in the bluegrass, as the Kentucky Wildcats are set to take on the Missouri Tigers for the first SEC matchup of the season.

Both teams are 1-0 on the year coming in with high expectations. A 2-0 start for either could kickstart a solid stretch of consecutive wins for the next several weeks and keep SEC East contention alive. Kentucky is looking for revenge following last season’s disappointing road loss, while Missouri is hoping to create a winning streak of its own after losing to the Wildcats five straight years from 2015-19.

How will tonight’s matchup go? The KSR crew has submitted its score predictions to get you prepared.

Tyler Thompson

Judging by his comments this week, Mark Stoops has been fuming about the loss to Missouri since it happened. Combine that with the picture of the Tigers taunting Kelvin Joseph that’s been floating around social media and there’s no doubt in my mind that Kentucky will be more than ready to snap the ball tomorrow night.

This game is typically pretty close, but I’m going with the Cats by two or more scores. Missouri looked vulnerable vs. Central Michigan in the season-opener, allowing the Chippewas to convert on 44% of third downs while only converting on 9% of theirs. The Cats will pounce on those weaknesses with the help of an electric atmosphere at Kroger Field.

Score: Kentucky 34, Missouri 20

Drew Franklin

Will Levis and Kentucky’s new high-flying offense are all the rage after Week 1, but it is the run game that will carry the Wildcats in Week 2.

Mark Stoops’ favorite brand of football will return against a Missouri defense that allowed 174 yards rushing to Central Michigan in CoMo last Saturday. Chippewa running back Lew Nichols III averaged 7.1 yards a carry on 19 runs for 135 yards and a touchdown on the Tigers, and I can’t imagine the Missouri defense tightens up for Chris Rodriguez, the Big Blue Wall, and a near-full capacity Kroger Field at night.

Liam Coen’s offense will still flex its muscles from time to time and I suspect Levis will connect on a deep ball or three. But Mizzou is too vulnerable upfront to not unleash Rodriguez and let him eat. He carries Kentucky to a win–and a cover.

Score: Kentucky 31, Missouri 20

Adam Luckett

Since the end of last season, Kentucky has had this matchup circled on their calendar. Mark Stoops and the Wildcats are chomping at the bit to get another crack at Missouri.

The biggest goal for Eliah Drinkwitz and Mizzou in year two was to create more explosive plays on offense, and that will play right into Kentucky’s hands on Saturday as the Wildcats hang their hat on big-play prevention. On offense, Kentucky’s offensive line has an advantage at the point of attack. This should lead to a big day for Chris Rodriguez Jr. Missouri’s man pressure scheme could play right into Kentucky’s hands as Liam Coen should be able to create favorable one-on-one matchups with Kentucky’s perimeter skill talent.

Kentucky is very motivated for this matchup and has been building for this game all offseason. The Wildcats start fast and overwhelm Missouri early. The run game with Chris Rodriguez Jr. takes over in the second half after the passing game provides some early fireworks. The Wildcats deliver a statement to begin SEC play in 2021.

Score: Kentucky 34, Missouri 17

Nick Roush

I can admittedly be a sunshine-pumping homer. However, I’ve been covering this football team closely now for ten seasons. The feeling around the team leading into this game is rare. I have not seen anything like it since before the 2019 game against Louisville, an ass-kicking of epic proportions.

When I try to think of ways things can wrong tomorrow night, “turnovers” are the only thing that can turn it upside down. There will be some tense moments, but Kentucky has the Jimmies and Joes. They also have an upper hand schematically, particularly when UK has the ball. It might be close for a half, but the Cats are running away with this in impressive fashion.

A Palindrome Score: Kentucky 41, Missouri 14

Zack Geoghegan

Calling this a game that could define the rest of the season is no hyperbole. A win would give Kentucky an immediate leg up moving forward in the SEC East standings while putting them in prime position to face off against Florida with a 4-0 record in a couple of weeks. A loss, however, could immediately douse the ‘Cats dreams of making it to Atlanta.

But I think Kentucky is in perfect shape to take this game without much issue. The energy on the field and in the stands will be at its best. This game has been circled since the schedule was announced. The momentum is entirely in Kentucky’s favor. Will Levis doesn’t even need to have a spectacular performance as he did in Week 1–Chris Rodriguez Jr. is going to take care of that against a poor Mizzou run defense.

Score: Kentucky 31, Missouri 14

Jack Pilgrim

Mark Stoops has referenced last season’s 20-10 loss at Missouri on numerous occasions and his disappointment in the team’s performance and effort. Vince Marrow called this season’s rematch UK’s biggest game since the team’s 2018 road victory at Florida.

The revenge factor is there, that much is clear. The Wildcats are also coming off a 45-10 blowout victory to open the season, one that only added to the excitement and expectations. Will Levis looked the part, Chris Rodriguez continued to do Chris Rodriguez things, outside weapons were clearly much improved, and the defense was stout.

I predicted a loss in KSR’s season preview, but I can’t stand behind that decision. It was a product of overthinking the matchup. Kentucky is coming out on top with a two-score victory to start the season 2-0.

Score: Kentucky 34, Missouri 24