Matchup, Preview & Prediction: Idaho

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WHEN MISSOURI RUNS THE BALL: It's unclear whether Missouri will have Damarea Crockett for this game. Barry Odom said he was supposed to practice this week, but color us skeptical. We expect the bulk of the ground game to fall to Ish Witter and an extended view of Larry Rountree III. Missouri didn't run it well against Georgia, but Idaho ain't Georgia. The Vandals are giving up 173 yards a game on the ground and Missouri ought to be able to find some holes. EDGE: MISSOURI

WHEN MISSOURI THROWS THE BALL: Drew Lock has played better the last two weeks than at perhaps any other time in his career against Power Five competition. Emanuel Hall has emerged as a legitimate deep threat and the Tigers' top option. The tight ends still aren't getting targeted as much as some had assumed, but they are making more appearances in the passing game and Josh Heupel has clearly diversified the playbook since the bye week. Idaho's pass defense has actually been pretty solid, but the Vandals haven't faced a passing game as strong as Missouri's.

EDGE: MIZZOU

WHEN IDAHO RUNS THE BALL: Aaron Duckworth and Isaiah Saunders are a nice 1-2 punch at running back, combining for 144 yards a game for Idaho. The rest of the roster has just 12 rushing yards. Missouri's run defense has been terrible by the numbers, giving up 4.92 yards per carry and 223 yards per game. It hasn't seemed as bad as the numbers indicate, but ultimately you are what the numbers say you are. Idaho doesn't have the talent of some of the ground games the Tigers have faced. Missouri's biggest problem has been surrendering an astounding 20 touchdowns on the ground in just six games.

EDGE: MISSOURI (?)

WHEN IDAHO THROWS THE BALL: Matt Linehan has solid, but not spectacular numbers. He's completing a little less than 60% of his passes for a little more than 200 yards per game with nine touchdowns and four interceptions. His top targets are seniors Jacob Sannon and Alfonso Onunwor, who have 726 yards on 59 catches between them. Between a lack of coverage and a lack of pressure, Missouri's pass defense has made everybody look great so far this season. The Tigers rank 117th in passing yards allowed and 122nd in opposing quarterback rating this year.

EDGE: IDAHO

SPECIAL TEAMS: Missouri has gotten better over the last few weeks even if it's still not exactly great on special teams. Larry Rountree III has done a nice job returning kicks and when the snaps get there Corey Fatony is great and Tucker McCann has been better. Idaho has a good punting unit, a questionable kicking unit and relatively poor return teams.

EDGE: MISSOURI

COACHING: Barry Odom needs to start winning these matchups. Paul Petrino isn't the most famous member of his coaching family. He guided Idaho to nine wins last year, but the Vandals are struggling this season.

EDGE: EVEN

THE BOTTOM LINE: This has to be a win. Period. And it really should be a comfortable win where nobody is sweating in the fourth quarter. If it isn't, we're gonna toss that talk about turning things around and sweeping the second half right out the window. Idaho is 2-4. It has beaten Sacramento State and South Alabama. It is dropping down to FCS next season. Missouri has to win and look good doing it.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Larry Rountree III. We're going to go off the radar and predict a touchdown on the ground and in the return game for the Tiger freshman.

THE PICK: Missouri 49, Idaho 27