The Morning Commute for December 30, 2024.
Welcome to the Morning Commute
Today we’re talking about the Music City Bowl. Or at least we’re watching something about it. So watch it!
Mizzou plays at 1:30 pm CT today. See you then here and on Rock M+!
Yesterday at Rock M and Rock M+
This week, as its the end of 2024, is writer’s choice! That means, I’ve tasked our staff to select their favorites from the academic year 2024-25 thus far (you’ll see that a few missed this directive, but ¯_(ツ)_/¯ ). Some have shared their reasoning for selecting said article and some have shared a paragraph or quote they liked most. If they have included this info, I have also included it.
This was a fun one to go through. Enjoy!
If the Tigers want to start SEC play with a bang, it all has to start from the top. Slaughter has already had a sophomore year to remember, leading the team in points (14.2) and 3-point percentage (56.1%).
While these are quite impressive numbers, Slaughter has yet to have a staple performance, unable to crack 25 points in her career.
That feels like a made up stat, doesn’t it? It’s not, but it feels like it!
Iowa’s thin cornerback room could present a matchup advantage for Missouri, even without Luther Burden III for the Tigers. Theo Wease Jr. should have a big game; Iowa’s star corner Jermari Harris has opted out to prepare for the NFL draft. Without Harris, the Hawkeyes will rely on Deshaun Lee (66 PFF coverage grade), TJ Hall (59), and John Nestor (55). Missouri turned the tide in the second half of the Cotton Bowl by hitting key big plays on the sideline to Wease and Marquis Johnson, and should have the ability to do the same against Iowa.
A Theo Wease banger to end his Mizzou career? Say it shall be!
Iowa will be without Kaleb Johnson, one of the nation’s best running backs, who declared for the NFL Draft and has opted out of the bowl game. Almost all of Iowa’s offense funnelled through Johnson this year, as the rest of the roster combined for fewer rushing attempts, yards and touchdowns than his numbers combined. With Brendan Sullivan returning from an ankle injury and Cade McNamara off to the transfer portal, Iowa’s offense will be searching for answers all over the field.
Got to be honest, it would’ve not been fun to face Kaleb Johnson, and I’m glad he’s not playing!
“I was talking to Coach Ferentz last night. When you look across college football, I think our two programs have done a really good job. We’ve had two opt-outs I think on both sides because of potential NFL futures and careers, and we totally understand that, but the rest of the senior classes are wanting to play, and they want to play together for the brotherhood.”
Luther, we’d still let you play if you had a last minute change of heart. Just saying.
This one was over from the jump, as the home team never trailed while leading 24-7 (football score) after the first quarter.
Would be nice to say this same thing about today’s game!
While the Tigers were able to emerge victorious in close contests against California and Kansas, for example, Mizzou shot a combined 7/21 from beyond the arc. MU wasn’t as lucky against Illinois in its last game; although the Tigers shot a ridiculous 37 free throws against the Illini, they were just 3/13 from downtown, including a miss off the back iron by Jacob Crews that would’ve sent the game into overtime.
Yeah, the three-point shooting needs to get fixed!
- Over at Rock M+, things are a little quiet because of the holiday weekend, but we’re still discussing DJ Smith’s return to Appalachian State and film breakdowns of Braggin’ Rights!
Rock M Radio: Before the Box Score previewed this afternoon’s game!
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