GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Missouri’s passing offense vs. Vanderbilt’s pass defense. The Commodores have been burned by some of the better quarterbacks on their schedule, as teams have especially attacked the nickel position. Expect the Tigers to put up big yardage numbers on VU. But turnovers could be an equalizer. Vanderbilt forced two when it got pressure on Arkansas in its last game, though Missouri’s 11 sacks allowed are tied for second-best in the SEC. The Tigers have thrown six interceptions.
DRAFT SLANT
–OL Bruno Reagan, who grades as VU’s highest-rated lineman, is listed as the starting center this week. Reagan started at guard all of 2016, moved to center for all of last season, and started the first five games at guard this season. He may see time at both for the rest of the year.
ROSTER REPORT:
–SS Zaire Jones has been suspended for the year due to what coach Derek Mason said was a violation of student conduct policy. Jones, who started Week Four, was supposed to be an opening-night starter, but missed the first two weeks due to a minor off-field incident and had not played well in 2018. Coach Derek Mason said he’d return to the team next semester.
–FS LaDarius Wiley could miss Saturday’s game after his father died earlier in the week. Wiley is still listed atop the depth chart, where he’s started all season.
–FS Gil Barksdale, a walk-on who’s played some, is listed behind LaDarius Wiley and could start if Wiley isn’t available.
–QB Mo Hasan saw six snaps against Arkansas in situational spots where the Commodores needed a more mobile quarterback than Kyle Shurmur.