Each Saturday morning, we start game day by breaking down the matchups inside the game and making a prediction.  Here is the breakdown of the Tigers against Vanderbilt.
                       INSIDE THE MATCHUPS
WHEN MISSOURI RUNS THE BALL: This is the biggest difference in the Tigers the last few weeks. Ish Witter and Larry Rountree III combined for 371 of Missouri's 433 rushing yards a week ago. Both are playing well and are running behind a line that is playing very well. Drew Lock has gotten involved in the ground game the last few weeks and success running the ball has opened up everything else for Missouri. Vanderbilt is better than Tennessee against the run, but not by a lot.
EDGE: MISSOURI
WHEN MISSOURI THROWS THE BALL: Drew Lock threw for 225 and three touchdowns last week, but could have had 350 and five with ease. Emanuel Hall caught a nasty case of the drops, but still had 100 yards and two touchdowns. J'Mon Moore is headed for an all-SEC season. And don't forget about the tight ends, who are due to make an appearance again soon. Junior linebacker Charles Wright has eight of Vandy's 24 sacks and needs to be accounted for, but the Tigers should still be able to throw the ball, especially if they first establish the run.
EDGE: MISSOURI
WHEN VANDERBILT RUNS THE BALL: Ralph Webb has been banged up, but he's one of the better backs in the SEC. But the Commodores' offensive line hasn't helped him. The Commodores are running for just 98.9 yards a game and 3.6 yards a carry. Those numbers explain the 0-6 record in conference play. Missouri's run defense has steadily improved the last few weeks, even though the numbers still look a little ugly.
EDGE: MISSOURI
WHEN VANDERBILT THROWS THE BALL: This is Vandy's biggest strength and still Missouri's biggest weakness. Kyle Shurmur is one of the league's better quarterbacks. The 'Dores have completed 57% of their passes on the season and have 22 touchdowns against just seven interceptions. Missouri's pass defense has gotten better, but it still probably shouldn't be described as a strength. The key here is shutting down the running game so the Tigers can get pressure on Shurmur and throw him off. He did have three picks last week against Kentucky, so it can be done.
EDGE: VANDERBILT
SPECIAL TEAMS: Missouri has the edge in pretty much every facet here. And the Tigers have a reliable kicker now too.
EDGE: MISSOURI
COACHING: Barry Odom has taken a team that started poorly and totally turned it around. Derek Mason has taken a team that started 3-0 to six losses in seven games.
EDGE: MISSOURI
THE BOTTOM LINE: Four weeks ago, this looked like a tossup. Not so much today. The Vanderbilt defense just doesn't look like it has many answers for Missouri. The Commodores are giving up 46 points a game in SEC play and Missouri should be around that number. Can the Commodores score enough to keep up? Not unless Shurmur has the game of his life and Missouri reverts to its early season defensive form.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Larry Rountree III puts together his second consecutive 150-yard game and scores twice.
THE PICK: Missouri 51, Vanderbilt 27
