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It's all come down to this. A Missouri team that has been under the radar all season -- it doesn't help when you lose at home to Indiana, guys -- has a chance to play spoiler and potentially knock the SEC out of the College Football Playoff all together. But will it happen? Our experts certainly don't think so. It's a clean sweep for Alabama this week as they all expect the Crimson Tide to roll into the playoff.
Edward Aschoff: These are the kinds of games coach Nick Saban thrives in. He's 8-1 in conference or national championship tilts. Yes, Missouri is hot and has taken a cue from Alabama by winning without flash, but the Crimson Tide are just more talented on both sides of the ball. Mizzou's defensive line will pose threats to Bama's offense, but who is going to cover Amari Cooper? Blake Sims will make plays with his legs and the running duo of T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry will wear down that defensive front. Also, expect Alabama's defense to force Mizzou QB Maty Mauk to make a few mistakes, as the Crimson Tide roll into the College Football Playoff.
~Alabama 27, Missouri 14
David Ching: I picked against Missouri in each of the past four games, against teams (Kentucky, Texas A&M, Tennessee and Arkansas) that were a combined 24-24 overall this season. I was wrong all four times, but that doesnāt mean Iām changing my tune with Mizzou facing arguably the best team in the nation on Saturday. As an Auburn grad, it would amuse me if my negative Missouri juju continues for another weekend, but it wonāt. Alabamaās defense will have its way with a subpar Tigers offense and the Crimson Tide's well-rounded offense will make enough plays to win against a stout Mizzou defense. ~Alabama 31, Missouri 17
Sam Khan Jr.: I think Missouri is going to be more competitive in this game than most other opponents. The Tigers' outstanding pass rush should make things interesting on that end, and offensively, they have the one-two punch of Russell Hansbrough and Marcus Murphy at running back, a nice collection of receivers for Mauk to throw to, and Alabama showed last week it can be thrown on. However, Missouri hasn't played a team as good as Alabama this season, and the way Sims played after throwing three interceptions last week is a huge confidence boost for that offense. Arkansas gave Missouri headaches last week and Alabama is a better team than the Hogs from top to bottom, including a better quarterback, so I have to give the nod to Nick Saban's crew.
~Alabama 29, Missouri 20
Chris Low: Well, here is Mizzou again, back in the SEC championship game for the second straight season. It's a tribute to the job coach Gary Pinkel and his staff have done. It's not like the Tigers rake in a bunch of four- and five-star prospects every year. They have been a load on defense this season, and the pass-rushing combo of Shane Ray and Markus Golden is as good as it gets. But Alabama has the depth and athleticism on defense to make Missouri one-dimensional and put too much of the burden on Mauk's shoulders. The Tide won't run away with it, but Cooper (how is the guy always open?) will make a big play in the second half to break the game open and lock up Alabama's spot in the playoff.
~Alabama 34, Missouri 20
Greg Ostendorf: Nick Perry said it best. If Alabama is clicking on offense like it was in the second half against Auburn, this team is scary. Sims was exceptional down the stretch, Cooper did what he always does and Yeldon had a quiet 127 yards. If that team shows up at the Georgia Dome on Saturday, it could be a long night for Missouri. The Tigers hung with Auburn in last season's SEC title game, but this is a much better Alabama defense theyāre facing, and theyāre not as equipped this time to keep up in a shootout.
~Alabama 38, Missouri 17
Alex Scarborough: It's easy to look at Missouri and say it's a similar spread offense that can mimic what Auburn did to amass 630 yards against Alabama. It would be easy, but wrong. Auburn goes north-south and is predicated on running between the tackles. Missouri is not. Going east-west with scatbacks like Hansbrough (190 pounds) and Murphy (195) isn't likely to have much success. Alabama's defense is just too athletic. With that said, I wouldn't be surprised if Bud Sasser and Jimmie Hunt have big games catching the football for Missouri. But in spite of that and the spectacular pass-rush tandem of Ray and Golden, it won't be enough.
~Alabama 31, Missouri 20
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Edward Aschoff: These are the kinds of games coach Nick Saban thrives in. He's 8-1 in conference or national championship tilts. Yes, Missouri is hot and has taken a cue from Alabama by winning without flash, but the Crimson Tide are just more talented on both sides of the ball. Mizzou's defensive line will pose threats to Bama's offense, but who is going to cover Amari Cooper? Blake Sims will make plays with his legs and the running duo of T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry will wear down that defensive front. Also, expect Alabama's defense to force Mizzou QB Maty Mauk to make a few mistakes, as the Crimson Tide roll into the College Football Playoff.
~Alabama 27, Missouri 14
David Ching: I picked against Missouri in each of the past four games, against teams (Kentucky, Texas A&M, Tennessee and Arkansas) that were a combined 24-24 overall this season. I was wrong all four times, but that doesnāt mean Iām changing my tune with Mizzou facing arguably the best team in the nation on Saturday. As an Auburn grad, it would amuse me if my negative Missouri juju continues for another weekend, but it wonāt. Alabamaās defense will have its way with a subpar Tigers offense and the Crimson Tide's well-rounded offense will make enough plays to win against a stout Mizzou defense. ~Alabama 31, Missouri 17
Sam Khan Jr.: I think Missouri is going to be more competitive in this game than most other opponents. The Tigers' outstanding pass rush should make things interesting on that end, and offensively, they have the one-two punch of Russell Hansbrough and Marcus Murphy at running back, a nice collection of receivers for Mauk to throw to, and Alabama showed last week it can be thrown on. However, Missouri hasn't played a team as good as Alabama this season, and the way Sims played after throwing three interceptions last week is a huge confidence boost for that offense. Arkansas gave Missouri headaches last week and Alabama is a better team than the Hogs from top to bottom, including a better quarterback, so I have to give the nod to Nick Saban's crew.
~Alabama 29, Missouri 20
Chris Low: Well, here is Mizzou again, back in the SEC championship game for the second straight season. It's a tribute to the job coach Gary Pinkel and his staff have done. It's not like the Tigers rake in a bunch of four- and five-star prospects every year. They have been a load on defense this season, and the pass-rushing combo of Shane Ray and Markus Golden is as good as it gets. But Alabama has the depth and athleticism on defense to make Missouri one-dimensional and put too much of the burden on Mauk's shoulders. The Tide won't run away with it, but Cooper (how is the guy always open?) will make a big play in the second half to break the game open and lock up Alabama's spot in the playoff.
~Alabama 34, Missouri 20
Greg Ostendorf: Nick Perry said it best. If Alabama is clicking on offense like it was in the second half against Auburn, this team is scary. Sims was exceptional down the stretch, Cooper did what he always does and Yeldon had a quiet 127 yards. If that team shows up at the Georgia Dome on Saturday, it could be a long night for Missouri. The Tigers hung with Auburn in last season's SEC title game, but this is a much better Alabama defense theyāre facing, and theyāre not as equipped this time to keep up in a shootout.
~Alabama 38, Missouri 17
Alex Scarborough: It's easy to look at Missouri and say it's a similar spread offense that can mimic what Auburn did to amass 630 yards against Alabama. It would be easy, but wrong. Auburn goes north-south and is predicated on running between the tackles. Missouri is not. Going east-west with scatbacks like Hansbrough (190 pounds) and Murphy (195) isn't likely to have much success. Alabama's defense is just too athletic. With that said, I wouldn't be surprised if Bud Sasser and Jimmie Hunt have big games catching the football for Missouri. But in spite of that and the spectacular pass-rush tandem of Ray and Golden, it won't be enough.
~Alabama 31, Missouri 20
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