Cody Slovensky
Writer
Date: Saturday, October 11th
Time: noon, ET
Location: Columbia, MO
TV: ABC
After a rough opening game, many people assumed that No. 8 Alabama (4-1, 2-0) was destined to have a bad season. After that game, the Crimson Tide made improvements. Now they look like a team that may be one of the best in the country.
No. 14 Missouri (5-0, 1-0), on the other hand, is a team for which many have set low expectations. Those assumptions were fair. The offense had to start from scratch. They lost Brady Cook, Theo Wease, and Luther Burden III, as well as their entire running back room. Welcoming in a new quarterback, new receivers and a new running back room has gone a lot better than expected.
Missouri has the number 4 overall offense in the country. They also have the number 3 rushing offense in the country. A good offensive line has helped them see this success, but also the star running back, Ahmad Hardy.
Hardy spent his freshman season at Louisiana-Monroe. In 2024, Hardy put up 1,351 rushing yards with 13 touchdowns. He averaged 5.7 yards per carry and was the leader of the Warhawks’ offense. In 2025, through five games, Hardy has 730 yards rushing with 9 touchdowns and is averaging 7.1 yards per carry. His ability to eat yards has set up Missouri with a chance to strike at any moment in the game.
For Alabama, its Achilles heel has been its rush defense. In its 3 games against top 25 competition, Alabama has allowed 593 rushing yards. They allow 5.93 yards per carry and have allowed 7 rushing touchdowns in those three games. Mobile quarterbacks have posed a challenge. The three quarterbacks in those games had 34 carries for 158 yards. They managed just 1 touchdown.
Beau Pribula brings in a very interesting style of play. He has that “wildman” approach. He can sling the ball, but also do damage with his legs. What makes him such an impact player is the fact that opposing defenses have their eyes on Hardy, and that is when Pribula can strike.
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has really stood out this season. He displays the look and style of traditional National Championship quarterbacks from Alabama. So far in 2025, Simpson has completed 70.3% of his passes for 1,478 yards with 13 touchdowns to only one interception. His leadership has been the difference maker.
Both teams have weaknesses, but they have also overcome them. This road test for Alabama will be no cakewalk. Expect a very fun game. This game is not one that should be overlooked.
For Alabama, they must tune out the crowd and strike fast. They need to put a spy on Pribula and contain Hardy. The run game must get going and extend drives.
For Missouri, self-inflicted mistakes are their issue. Every turnover that they have allowed (including turnover on downs), the opposing team has followed that up with points. If Missouri is to win this game, eliminating the mistakes is the key.
Prediction- Alabama 24 Missouri 30
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