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The Missouri Tigers are continuing their maiden voyage through the SEC, and this week they are hosting the 1-3 Vanderbilt Commodores. Missouri enter this games as a 7.5-point favorite over Vanderbilt. Last week's results swayed the opinion of the odds makers after Missouri won a closer-than-expected 21-16 game against Central Florida, while Vanderbilt just got drubbed by Georgia, 48-3.
Tigers quarterback James Franklin will be looking to break out against the Commodores. Vanderbilt is actually third in the SEC in passing yards allowed per game; however, that stat is misleading as teams have built up huge leads and then just ran the ball. They rank sixth in pass defense in yards per attempt in the conference at 6.1 as well as sixth in quarterback rating. However, Franklin will be missing his top target Dorial Green-Beckham, he was suspended following a drug arrest.
With Green-Beckham out, Vanderbilt might be able to make some noise in their pass defense and possibly slow down Missouri passing game to an extent.
Vanderbilt will need some success from quarterback Jordan Rodgers, because if the passing game can make some noise, it will open up the running game for Zac Stacy, who averages more than 7 yards per carry. They will need a great offensive performance to pull off the upset against Missouri this weekend, and that is something that Vanderbilt has not had this season.