By RPT, Rock M Nation
I imagine pollsters for both the AP and Coaches polls woke up Sunday morning somewhat unsure of what to do with the Missouri Tigers. And, right now, the feeling is mutual. At 5-0, the Tigers are a Top 25 team, but their up-and-down performance makes them a somewhat baffling Top 25 team. In previous years, questions about Missouri's legitimacy rarely surrounded the Missouri offense. This season, the Tigers looked every bit of a top 25 offense while shellacking McNeese State and Miami University, but struggles in the Tigers' other three games make it hard to pinpoint exactly where expectations should be for this unit and this football team.
But in a bit of a recent role reversal, while mild questions hover around the Missouri offense, it's the Missouri defense that has truly played like a top 25 unit. The mandatory caveat about the strength of opposing offenses certainly applies, but the way Missouri has shown up should draw attention. Defensive tackles Terrell Resonno and Dominique Hamilton played one of their best games of the season against Colorado, combining for nine tackles (1.5 for loss with one sack) and a blocked field goal. The Missouri defensive backfield -- long considered the unit's sacrificial lamb to both Big 12 offenses and Big 12 media -- is flying to the football. Carl Gettis is playing at a level meeting or exceeding his memorable freshman campaign. Kevin Rutland has developed into a bona fide cover corner on the other side. Kenji Jackson is displaying the closing speed and playmaking ability Missouri has sorely needed at the safety position. Kip Edwards looks deadly on the nickel blitz. The Tigers are now No. 30 in the country in total defense, but with the shutout of Colorado, the Tigers moved to No. 3 in the nation in scoring defense at 11.2 points per game.