Upsets and comeback victories have been a recurring theme this season. And by the indications of it, there will be more. Playoff berths and the conference futures of a lot of teams hang in the balance. And with the rise in upsets, it’s become very unpredictable. Now, as we are about to enter week 8 of the college football season, Analysts are making their picks of underdogs and favorites for the upcoming week. While losing isn’t bad enough, coaches have to deal with these predictions as well. Just like the pressure mounting on Missouri HC Eli Drinkwitz after ex-NFL star David Pollack delivered his verdict on their next game.

David Pollock joined the analysts’ pool as he picked his favorites in his show, See Ball Get Ball with David Pollock, on 15th October. While talking about the Auburn, Missouri game, he said,” I think Missouri is going to Auburn. Now, listen, that’s operating under the caveat that Auburn didn’t push the quit button. Like I’m out of here like they did in the second half. But like, obviously, a physical game last week, a letdown opportunity for Missouri.” David is bang on as Alabama defeated Missouri 27-24, defeating the Tigers in a physically demanding contest. It exposed major flaws in Missouri’s game as the Crimson Tide dominated time of possession, forcing Missouri into crucial third-down failures and winning. Further upping the pressure on Coach Eli Drinkwitz.

On the other hand, Auburn refused to bow down to the mighty Georgia as they battled throughout the game before losing, 20-10. They held the Bulldogs without a third-down conversion till the fourth quarter. In a contest that represented missed opportunities rather than a lack of fight. As Pollack continued, “Now, coming in, you probably think you’ve heard about Auburn and how bad they stink; they don’t stink. They’re still a good team, man. They just haven’t had a good defense when it matters in the clutch. And Missouri’s run defense, they’re a little bit banged up now at D-line, but can they run the football? Can they make some plays? I think if Auburn’s focused and they’re ready to rock and roll, they can use that crowd, and they could pull the upset.” The stats support Pollock’s comments as the Missouri defense has struggled in its matchup with Alabama.

Despite having a running defense ranked 2nd, allowing 68.2 yards per game. The Missouri defense has a glaring weakness, with a porous secondary that might hand Auburn their most desired SEC victory they need. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz openly criticized his defensive backs after the South Carolina game, calling them ridiculous. South Carolina had 231 explosive-play yards despite generating 27 quarterback pressures. Kansas City exploited the same weakness as they had completions of 24, 25, and 50 yards earlier in the season.  An even more concerning issue heading into Auburn is red zone defense. It has allowed opponents to score on 92.9% of trips inside the 20-yard line. Against Alabama, Missouri’s secondary allowed critical completions, contributing to the Tigers’ 1-for-10 third-down performance that killed offensive momentum. 

Auburn’s talented receiving trio of Cam Coleman, Eric Singleton Jr., and Malcolm Simmons has the exact skill set that has troubled Missouri’s defensive backs all season. Combining​ red zone efficiency and pass rush pressure against a vulnerable Missouri quarterback might help Auburn to script the upset Pollack touted them to.  If Auburn’s defense can replicate Alabama’s blueprint of controlling time of possession (38:33 mins). While forcing Tigers QB Beau Pribula into difficult passing positions, they might just win.  The bookmakers favor The Tigers to win by 1.5 points, predicting a close contest between the two.

Missouri’s road ahead and implications

Missouri goes to Auburn next weekend before returning home for an October 25 matchup against Arkansas. This is a squad that has allowed 31.4 points per game and ranks 102nd nationally in total defense. The contest marks the Tigers’ final non–Power Five test before a crucial November slate.​

November begins in Lexington against Kentucky (3-4, 1-2 SEC), which boasts the conference’s top rushing attack at 237.8 yards per game and could exploit Missouri’s issues with run defense. Four days later, Missouri hosts Vanderbilt, a win vital to preserving CFP hopes.​

The regular season concludes with Missouri at Mercer (November 21), then a season-ending road trip to No. 5 Alabama on November 28. The Tigers must shore up third-down execution and eliminate turnovers to finish strong and secure a New Year’s Six invitation.