Staff Predictions for Alabama/Missouri

It's homecoming week for the Alabama Crimson Tide as Drew Lock and the Missouri Tigers come rolling into town.

Lock has thrown for 1,487 yards and 11 touchdowns this season and could cause problems for a Crimson Tide team that has struggled on defense allowing 31 points against Arkansas. But will the Tigers be capable of slowing Tua Tagovailoa and this Crimson Tide offense that has scored over 45 points every game this season with two 60 points games?

Here is who the Tide 102.9/100.9 staff has coming out of Bryant-Denny stadium with the homecoming victory.

Martin Houston, Host of The Blitz

Slow your Roll Tide fans. With the success Arkansas had against Alabama’s defense, facing Drew Lock and Missouri’s offense, could leave some Alabama fans a little nervous.  But no need to worry. The beast has been awaken for homecoming. Not only will Dixieland Delight return to Bryant Denny, so will the vintage Alabama's D we’ve come to expect. Mizzou has a little success early and more when the backups enter the game, but the game will never be in doubt. Tua and company continues the torching of every opponent with its highest output of the season!  Aided by another non-defensive TD or 2, Alabama knocks on the door of  70.
Alabama 66 - Missouri 17

Wimp Sanderson, Co-Host of Inside the Locker Room

Look for Alabama’s defense to be up the the challenge. The night atmosphere will prove to be a huge advantage.
Alabama 34 - Missouri 10

Barry Sanderson, Co-Host of Inside the Locker Room

This team will be happy to be in front of the home fans. This defense which has taken in a lot of criticism will be up to the challenge. Look for Tua to stay hot in the first half and not take a snap in the fourth quarter once again.
Alabama 49 - Missouri 13

Gary Harris, Host of The Gary Harris Show

Alabama put 65 points on the scoreboard last weekend against Arkansas, but it was the 31 points that the defense allowed that was the big topic of conversation this week. This Alabama defense appears to be good, but when the standard is greatness, this 2018 unit has been lacking. Alabama's offense  is putting up record setting numbers so far though and Missouri will find out the hard way that slowing down the Alabama's offensive express isn't easy to do. Mizzou will score some points but not nearly enough of them on Saturday night.
Alabama 55 - Missouri 24

Travis Reier, Host of Southern Fried Sports

Alabama's last two meetings with the Tigers didn't produce much of a challenge. Average margin of victory for UA in those games: 30.5 points. More so than there was in those meetings between these two, there are questions about the Crimson Tide defense, especially with starting corner Trevon Diggs out. The problem for Mizzou is that it has a key injury of its own at wide receiver, as Emanuel Hall is dealing with a groin pull. Combine that with a pass defense that has given up three scoring tosses in each of its last three games and it's hard to imagine the Tigers winning a shootout.
Alabama 45 - Missouri 23

Ryan Fowler, Host of The Game

Missouri will present some challenges for Alabama’s defense which has received heavy criticism this week for not living up to the Alabama standard. I believe the Crimson Tide defense will rise to the occasion and slow down an explosive Tiger attack. Alabama’s offense will continue to produce at a record setting pace.
Alabama 48 - Missouri 21

Ben George, Digital Managing Editor

Another four touchdown point spread for Alabama this week with Missouri coming to town. I get the sense we’re going to find out whether the defensive concerns from Arkansas are an outlier or a sign of things to come. Drew Lock and this Tigers offense can move the ball and should have a gameplan to attack Alabama and create confusion in coverage. But regardless of how the defense plays, Alabama’s offense will score points in bunches yet again and fans will stick around to see it all happen because Dixieland Delight is back.
Alabama 49 – Missouri 20

Skylar DeLong is still redshirt eligible after 6 games, will the Missouri Tigers force him onto the field for the first time in October? Drew Lock has shown potential to be a threat, with 11 touchdowns and close to 1,500 yards in the air. Though he has thrown four interceptions, will there be a scheme change to attack the weakness Arkansas exploited last week against the Tide? With Dixieland Delight freed, expect to see plenty of fans still around in the fourth quarter, but not to see Tua on the field still. Alabama wins their homecoming matchup against Missouri.
Alabama 63 - Missouri 24

James Hardy, Producer

Tua Tagovailoa and the Alabama offense had the defense's back last week in Fayetteville thanks to a season-high 65 point outing and will need to do likewise for the rest of the season with Trevon Diggs out for the season. While Drew Lock has struggled over the last two games, he is capable of lighting the scoreboard with one flick of the arm. The question that remains is can Missouri's offense keep pace with the Alabama offense? The answer is no.
Alabama 59 - Missouri 24

Marquis Munson, Brand Manager and Producer

With all the panic surrounding Alabama's defense and the injury to Trevon Diggs, I'm interested in seeing how the defensive unit will respond during homecoming and the return of Dixieland Delight. Mizzou had a season-high 286 rushing yards in a two-point loss to the South Carolina and will face a Alabama defense that has allowed 200 yards on the ground to Louisiana and 172 to Arkansas. With the success on the ground for the Tigers, Drew Lock will have opportunities down field early on in the game, but I don't think the Tigers can keep up with Tua Tagovailoa and the Crimson Tide despite Arkansas' success on offense last weekend and the Crimson Tide defense will work through their defense's woes over the last couple weeks and come out with the victory.
Alabama 58 - Missouri 24