Alabama vs. Missouri: Complete Game Preview

After enjoying its bye last weekend, top-ranked Alabama will begin a stretch with three of its next four games on the road—beginning with this weekend’s trip to face Missouri.  

The Tigers have found life in the SEC to be brutal, with last weekend’s 19-15 loss to Vanderbilt dropping them to 3-3 on the season and 0-3 in conference play.  

Much to the chagrin of the natives in Columbia, Nick Saban’s club is heading to the Show-Me State with every intention of continuing the Tigers’ misery.

What should Tide fans know about one of the SEC’s newest members?

Take a peek inside in this complete game preview for the matchup between the Crimson Tide and the Tigers. 

Gameday Info

Who: Alabama at Missouri

When: Saturday, 3:30 (EDT)

Where: Columbia, MO.

Stadium: Memorial Stadium, (68,349)

TV: CBS

Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network, Sirius Channel 85, XM Channel 198

Internet Stream: CBSSports.com

Depth Chart for Alabama

Offense

LT – 71 – Cyrus Kouandijo, SO (6’6”, 311)

63 – Kellen Williams, JR (6’3”, 303)

LG – 65 – Chance Warmack, SR (6’3”, 320)

Chad Lindsay, SO (6’2”, 290)

C – 75 – Barrett Jones, SR (6’5”, 302)

70 – Ryan Kelly, FR (6’5”, 288)

RG – 61 – Anthony Steen, JR (6’3”, 303)

77 – Arie Kouandijo, SO (6’5, 310)

RT – 76 – D.J. Fluker, JR (6’6”, 335)

79 – Austin Shepherd, SO (6’5”, 312)

TE – 89 – Michael Williams, SR (6’6”, 269)

84 – Brian Vogler, SO (6’7”, 258)

H – 31 – Kelly Johnson, SR (6’3”, 230)

82 – Harrison Jones, SO (6’4”, 244)

21 – Brent Calloway, FR (6’1”, 217)

QB – 10 – AJ McCarron, JR (6’4”, 205)

12 – Phillip Ely, FR (6’1”, 198) OR

6 – Blake Sims, SO (6’0”, 182)

RB – 42 – Eddie Lacy, JR (6’0”, 220)

4 – T.J. Yeldon, FR (6’2”, 216)

17 – Kenyan Drake, FR (6’1”, 204)

WR (X) – 9 – Amari Cooper, FR (6’1”, 198)

80 – Marvin Shinn, FR (6’3”, 198)

WR (Z) – 83 – Kevin Norwood, JR (6’2”, 195)

7 – Kenny Bell, JR (6’1”, 180)

WR (H) – 22 – Christion Jones, SO (5’11, 185)

8 – Cyrus Jones, FR (5’10”, 192)

Defense

DE – 49 – Ed Stinson, JR (6’4”, 282)

8 – Jeoffrey Pagan, SO (6’4”, 285)

NG – 54 – Jesse Williams, SR (6’4”, 320)

62 – Brandon Ivory, SO (6’4”, 315)

DE – 92 – Damion Square, SR (6’3”, 286)

90 – Quinton Dial, SR (6’6”, 304)

Sam OLB – 42 – Adrian Hubbard, SO (6’6”, 248)

19 – Jonathan Atchison, JR (6’3”, 236)

Mike ILB – 33 – Trey Depriest, SO (6’2”, 245), or 35 – Nico Johnson, SR (6’3”, 245)

18 – Reggie Ragland, FR (6’2”, 247)

Will ILB – 35 – Nico Johnson, SR (6’3”, 245). or 32 – C.J. Mosley, JR (6’2”, 232)

11 – Tana Patrick, JR (6’3”, 236)

Jack OLB – 47 – Xzavier Dickson, SO (6’3”, 262)

30 – Denzel Devall, FR (6’2”, 243)

CB – 28 – Dee Milliner, JR (6’1”, 199)

10 – John Fulton, JR (6’0”, 187)

CB – 13 – Deion Belue, JR (5’11”, 179)

24 – Geno Smith, FR (6’0”, 182)

SS – 37 – Robert Lester, SR (6’2”, 210)

3 – Vinnie Sunseri, SO (6’0”, 215)

FS –6 – HaHa Clinton-Dix, SO (6’1”, 209) OR 27 – Nick Perry, JR (6’1”, 208)

26 – Landon Collins, FR (6’0”, 202)

Special Teams

PK – 5 – Jeremy Shelley, SR (5’10”, 165), or 43 – Cade Foster, JR (6’1, 218)

KO – 43 – Cade Foster, JR (6’1”, 218)

HOLD – 10 – AJ McCarron, JR (6’4”, 210)

3 – Vinnie Sunseri, SO (6’0”, 215)

P – 29 – Cody Mandell, JR (6’4”, 202)

5 – Jeremy Shelley, SR (5’10”, 165)

SN – 51 – Carson Tinker, SR (6’1”, 220)

31 – Kelly Johnson, SR (6’3”, 230)

PR – 22 – Christion Jones, SO (5’11”, 185)

8 – Cyrus Jones, FR (5’10”, 192)

KR – 22 – Christion Jones, SO (5’11”, 185)

28 – Dee Milliner, JR (6’1”, 199)

8 – Cyrus Jones, FR (5’10”, 192)

83 – Kevin Norwood, JR (6’2”, 195)

Depth Chart for Missouri

Offense

WR (X) – 2 – L’Damian Washington, JR (6’4”, 195)

85 – Marcus Lucas, JR (6’5”, 215)

LT – 72 –Elvis Fisher, SR (6’5”, 300)

70 – Anthony Gatti, SO (6’6”, 295)

LG – 77 – Evan Boehm, FR (6’3”, 310)

67 – Michael Boddie, FR (6’5”, 285)

C – 63 – Brad McNulty, FR (6’4”, 295)

60 – Connor McGovern, FR (6’4”, 300)

RG – 61 – Max Copeland, JR (6’3”, 290)

78 – Nick Demien, SO (6’6”, 295)

RT – 68 – Justin Britt, JR (6’6”, 315)

74– Chris Freeman, SO (6’8”, 315)

WR (Z) – 21 – Bud Sasser, SO (6’2”, 215)

5 – Rolandis Woodland, SR (6’3”, 200)

14 – Jaleel Clark, JR (6’4”, 220)

WR (Y) – 81 – Eric Waters, JR (6’4”, 235)

15 – Dorial Green-Beckham, FR (6’6”, 220)

WR (H) – 28 – T.J. Moe, SR (6’0”, 200)

3 – Gahn McGaffie, SR (5’10”, 190)

88 – Jimmie Hunt, SO (6’0”, 205)

QB – 13 – Corbin Berkstresser, FR (6’3”, 230)

7 – Maty Mauk, FR (6’2”, 200)

RB – 4 – Kendial Lawrence, SR (5’9”, 195)

6 – Marcus Murphy, SO (5’9”, 185)

32 – Russell Hansbrough, FR (5’9”, 185)

38 – Jared McGriff-Culver, SR (5’11”, 250)

Defense

DE – 47 – Kony Ealy, SO (6’5”, 265)

356 – Shane Ray, FR (6’3”, 240)

DT – 34 – Sheldon Richardson, JR (6’4”, 295)

96 – Lucas Vincent, SO (6’2”, 295)

94 – Marvin Foster, JR (6’1”, 295)

NG – 89 – Matt Hoch, SO (6’5”, 300)

91 – Jimmy Burge, SR (6’2”, 295)

DE – 57 – Brad Madison, SR (6’4”, 265) – OR --   

52 – Michael Sam, JR (6’3”, 260)

55 – Brayden Burnett, JR (6’2”, 250)

Will – 25 – Zaviar Gooden, SR (6’2”, 230)

12 – Darvin Ruise, S) (6’1”, 235)

Mike – 32 – Will Ebner, SR (6’0”, 230)

8 – Donovan Bonner, JR (6’1”, 235)

Sam – 48 – Andrew Wilson, JR (6’3”, 235)

10 – Kentrell Brothers, FR (6’1”, 230)

33 – Markus Golden, SO (6’3”, 230)

CB – 1 – Kip Edwards, SR (6’1”, 200)

7 – Randy Ponder, JR (5’10”, 195)

SS – 30 – Kenronte Walker, SR (6’0”, 210)

21 – Ian Simon, FR (5’11”, 190)

4 – Daniel Easterly, SO (6’4”, 195)

FS – 9 – Braylon Webb, SO (6’0”, 210)

17 – Matt White, JR (6’0”, 195)

5 – Cortland Browning, FR (6’1”, 210)

CB – 31 – E.J. Gaines, JR (5’10”, 195)

26 – Xavier Smith, SO (5’10”, 185)

28 – Ernest Payton, FR (6’2”, 210)

Special Teams

PK – 99 – Andrew Baggett, FR (5’11”, 202)

97 – Trey Barrow, SR (6’1”, 205)

P – 97 – Trey Barrow, SR (6’1”, 205)

92 – Christian Brinser, SO (6’2”, 215)

Holder – 28 – T.J. Moe, SR (6’0”, 200)

3 – Gahn McGaffie, SR (5’10”, 190)

LS – 57 – Brad Madison, SR (6’4”, 265) (PUNT)

69 – Mitch Hall, FR (6’1”, 275) (PAT/FG)

KR – 28 – T.J. Moe, SR (6’0”, 200)

6 – Marcus Murphy, SO (5’9”, 185)

PR – 6 – Marcus Murphy, SO (5’9”, 185)

31 – E.J. Gaines, JR (5’10”, 195)

What Happened to the Crimson Tide Last Week

Alabama was idle last week and was able to watch the carnage unfold with ranked teams dropping across the nation.  

The Crimson Tide kept its grip on the top spot in both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches polls.  

What Happened to the Tigers Last Week

The mid-week arrest of three football players—including star freshman receiver Dorial Green-Beckham—on drug charges was a bad omen for Missouri heading into its game against Vanderbilt.  

Not much went right for the Tigers after starting quarterback James Franklin left the game in the first quarter with a knee injury and did not return.  

The special teams unit was a big culprit in the 19-15 loss to the Commodores—with punter Trey Barrow mishandling a snap that led to a first-half safety and a missed extra point that would have tied the game at 16 in the fourth quarter.  

Franklin’s injury will likely cost him to miss this weekend’s game, and with everything seemingly falling apart, the last team anyone would want to face in this position is Alabama.  

What It Means to Both Teams

Thus far into the 2012 season, Alabama has appeared to be on cruise control, winning its first five games by an average of 33 points per game.  

The Tide would like to get a win heading into the meat of its SEC schedule—with road trips to Tennessee and LSU sandwiched by a home date against Mississippi State looming following this weekend’s contest. 

For Missouri, its program is still searching for its first victory in SEC play.  

At this point, Gary Pinkel is just hoping to survive what could be another long afternoon in the nation’s toughest conference.  

Key Player for Alabama

Corner Deion Belue may be limited this weekend after suffering a shoulder injury that knocked him out of the Ole Miss game. 

Even if he can play, Alabama will need to get backup corners John Fulton and Geno Smith ready due to Missouri’s plans on spreading the field with four wideout sets, according to Andrew Gribble of al.com.   

Considering that Fulton is in his third year in the system, the junior figures to be the man that will be counted upon to step in and fortify the secondary against the Tigers.

Key Player for Missouri

Missouri defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson may have put his foot in his mouth by making some bulletin board comments before the Georgia game, but while his team has struggled, he has been a force in the middle of the defensive line this season (h/t, Graham Watson, Yahoo! Sports).  

The 6’4”, 295-pound defensive tackle has recorded 38 tackles—including three sacks and seven quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. 

Alabama’s offensive line has struggled at times this season, and Richardson could be the most talented player it will have faced to this point.  

Alabama Will Win If ...

The Tide will be heavy favorites in this matchup, and if they continue to avoid starting out flat, they should cruise to another conference victory.  

A.J. McCarron has led a high-scoring offense that has avoided turning the ball over, and the defense has helped Alabama pile up a plus-12 in turnover margin this season. 

With Franklin likely missing this game, Alabama’s defense should have another big day against freshman backup quarterback Corbin Berkstresser. 

Missouri Will Win If ...

To say the odds are stacked against the Tigers earning their first SEC win would be putting it mildly.  

Unless Missouri is able to reverse the Tide’s tendency to end up on the right side of the turnover margin, their chances at an upset bid look slim at best.  

The Tigers’ hopes hinge on its defensive line winning the battle against the Alabama offensive line in the trenches.  

If the Tigers are unable to force Alabama into any miscues, the game could get ugly by the time the second half rolls around.  

Prediction

Alabama has suffered its share of injuries this season, but Missouri may be in an even worse situation without Franklin and starting center Mitch Morse. 

The Tigers have averaged just 15 points per game in SEC play this season, and that number is likely to plummet without its starting quarterback and facing potentially the nation’s best defense.  

With Nick Saban’s club rested and reloaded for a march towards another title run, Missouri is the first of three sets of Tigers that the Crimson Tide will have to go through.  

Prediction:  Alabama 38, Missouri 7

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