Missouri football preseason preview: Can the Tigers play spoiler vs. post-Saban Alabama?

One of the — if not the — headline games on Missouri football’s 2024 season schedule sends the Tigers to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, for a matchup against a Crimson Tide team entering a tough-to-picture new era.

Mizzou enters the season with what appears to be a realistic opportunity to reach the expanded, 12-team College Football Playoff, with a roster that returns plenty of returning offensive production, an 11-2 season and Cotton Bowl win in the bank, and a schedule that seemingly sets up favorably for coach Eli Drinkwitz in his fifth season at MU.

A recent tear on the recruiting trail that saw five commitments in the space of a week has not hurt the good preseason mood in Columbia.

Looking ahead, the eighth game on the Tigers’ schedule — at a wildly different looking Alabama team on Oct. 26 — makes for a mouthwatering matchup.

Here’s what to know about Alabama’s hectic offseason, including key additions, coaching changes and potential playmakers to watch for:

More: Missouri football gets 5th commit in a week, lands 4-star East St. Louis safety Charles Bass

Who are the opposing names to know when Missouri football visits Alabama?

Quarterback: Jalen Milroe is back for a second full season as Alabama’s starter. His development under new coach Kalen DeBoer, who helped Michael Penix Jr. become a top-10 pick in this year’s draft between Indiana and Washington, will be an intriguing subplot to the Tide’s season. 

Offensive playmakers: The next in a long line of talented Alabama running backs appears to be sophomore Justice Haynes, a former five-star recruit who took 25 carries for an average of 6.7 yards for 168 yards and two touchdowns in his rookie season.

Wide receiver Germie Bernard followed his coach, Kalen DeBoer, from Washington to Alabama this offseason, and with knowledge of the scheme figures to be a potent weapon. The Tide also may start five-star freshman Ryan Williams, the No. 8 overall recruit in his class.

Defensive playmakers: Malachi Moore at safety and Deontae Lawson at linebacker are the top returning talents for the Crimson Tide. Both will likely find their way onto the preseason All-SEC team. LJ Overton was a big-time portal get for Alabama from Texas A&M, and ought to figure as the Tide’s premier edge rusher.

What did the offseason look like for the Crimson Tide?

Key additions: Parker Brailsford (IOL/C); Keon Sabb (S); Domani Jackson (CB); LT Overton (DT); Germie Bernard (WR); Graham Nicholson (K); Ryan Williams (WR)

Key losses: JC Latham (OT); Dallas Turner (EDGE); Terrion Arnold (CB); Kool-Aid McKinstrey (CB); Chris Braswell (EDGE); Jermaine Burton (WR); Jase McClellan (RB); Caleb Downs (S); Isaiah Bond (WR); Seth McLaughlin (IOL/C); Julian Sayin (QB); Will Reichard (K)

Key coaching changes: Kalen DeBoer (HC, Washington); Nick Sheridan (OC, Washington) Kane Wommack (DC, South Alabama)

What did the offseason look like? In short: Near enough everything but the sky falling.

Legendary coach Nick Saban retired and was replaced by national-championship finalist Kalen DeBoer from Washington, ushering in a new era in Tuscaloosa.

It’s a different looking Alabama team from top to bottom. Alabama lost quite a bit of All-SEC and All-American talent between the NFL Draft and, in some surprising cases, the transfer portal. 

A whopping 34 Alabama players exited via the portal, which is a list that mostly contains reserves and 2024 early enrollees but does have multiple key players from last season. Caleb Downs was the SEC Newcomer of the Year as a freshman, and he left for Ohio State. Iron Bowl hero Isaiah Bond (Texas) and starter Malik Benson (Florida State) at wide receiver also moved.

Ten more ’Bama players heard their names called in the 2024 NFL Draft. That group included both starting corners, the starting running back and the third starter at wide receiver. 

But Alabama, as one would expect, has replenished adequately with the No. 3-ranked transfer portal signing class, per On3’s rankings. Most of the Tide’s big-name signings out of the portal came along the offensive line or at defensive back. In total, seven top-100 ranked transfers available are Tuscaloosa bound.

Among MU’s coaching staff, there are connections to Alabama’s new hires all over. Mizzou offensive coordinator Kirby Moore worked with DeBoer at Fresno State, and new Missouri defensive coordinator Corey Batoon was new Alabama DC Kane Wommack’s defensive play-caller at South Alabama last season.

Early forecast for Mizzou at Alabama

If ever there were a time to walk into Tuscaloosa and challenge the king, it’s probably in 2024. Even the most optimistic Mizzou fan wouldn’t consider this as Missouri’s game to lose, but the Tigers certainly anticipate taking the game to the Tide.

If Missouri’s offense meets the preseason hype, and if its defense can overcome the lingering preseason questions, there does appear to be an extremely real — and who knows how fleeting — opportunity to walk into Bryant-Denny Stadium and topple the Tide.

Alabama’s turnover is among the most of any team in the nation. The coaching change was about as seismic as any in the sport’s history. 

If Mizzou avoids any upsets through its first eight games, and the Tigers are likely to be favored in at least seven of those opening eight, this could very well be a top-10 showdown. The next step in MU’s ascent, after beating Ohio State for a New Year’s Six Bowl win in December, is knocking off a blue blood in the regular season — a feat that would do wonders for a CFP resume.

If ever there were a time …

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