Mizzou to face a very complete BYU team

By foxsports
Published

In Saturday's nonconference tilt between BYU and Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, the Tigers will be facing a very solid squad across the board. 

Bronco Mendenhall's team ranks No. 38 nationally in total offense, and No. 36 nationally in total defense. 

The defense is led by the likes of Bronson Kaufusi, Harvey Langi, and Fred Warner. Warner is a rangy linebacker with terrific athleticism, and Langi is a thumper in the middle. Kaufusi leads the team with 7.0 sacks, and is an absolute monster at 6'8", 280 pounds. 

Offensively, the attack is led by a host of talented players, including signal-caller Tanner Mangum. On the year, Mangum has thrown for 2,198 yards and 15 touchdowns. Possessing a strong arm, he can make throws to all spots on the field. 

6'6" receiver Mitch Mathews is a nightmare on jump-ball situations. He leads the team in receptions (40) and has more than half (9) of the team's 17 receiving touchdowns. Devon Blackmon is easily the fastest member of the receiver corps, and has legitimate deep speed. The Cougars also like to utilize Mitchell Juergens and Nick Kurtz as well. 

This BYU team will ask some questions of Missouri on both sides of the ball. Offensively, it will look to push the tempo and get its passing game working early. It can then pivot to its two-headed bullying rushing attack featuring Adam Hine (6'1", 216) and Algernon Brown (6'1", 235). 

This is a physical, tough, mature football team. As is the case with virtually every squad it faces, BYU has an advantage from an actual age standpoint. Some of the Cougars will at least four or five years older than Missouri underclassmen. It will be imperative for the Tigers to play solidly on both sides of the ball. 

If it can't do that, this could ultimately become a very difficult ballgame for Gary Pinkel's team.