(Photo: ESPN)
Campus Clash
(8) Alabama Crimson Tide at (14) Missouri Tigers
Alabama (4-1):
That’s two straight weeks and two consecutive wins over ranked conference opponents. I know for a fact they were tired of hearing about the upset loss to the Vanderbilt Commodores last year when they were the number one-ranked team in the nation—and how Diego Pavia carved them up. They may have a different coach now, but one thing remains true: they never lose to the same team in back-to-back seasons. For the first time this season, they unfortunately turned the football over, but that also shows just how well they’ve taken care of the ball up to this point. Let’s give some credit to Ty Simpson—he’s been playing quality football and has settled into this DeBoer offense nicely. Everything about their defensive game plan against Vandy on Saturday was beautiful. They played with the safeties deep, mixed up zone and man coverage, and dared Diego to throw underneath instead of over the top. They held him to under 200 yards passing and limited the Vandy offense to just 14 points. I also want to talk more about Jam Miller and how much he means to this Crimson Tide offense. When he’s carrying the ball, they’re simply a better unit. I said on Monday Evening Quarterback the other day: what James Cook is to the Buffalo Bills, that’s what Jam is to the Alabama Crimson Tide. That loss to Florida State in Week 1 already feels like ancient history. They continue to play strong, complete football. This Saturday, they face a tough battle in Columbia.
Missouri (5-0):
I just said on Monday Evening Quarterback that this is the most wide-open I’ve ever seen the SEC. Texas has been a disappointment, and there’s LSU, Ole Miss, Alabama, Georgia—and even Texas A&M has entered the conversation. But let’s not overlook what Eli Drinkwitz has built in Columbia. Many thought this offense would take a step back without Brady Cook and Luther Burden, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. People can question the schedule all they want, but Missouri has beaten who’s been in front of them. Their best win came against South Carolina, a team expected to take a step forward in the conference. Statistically, Missouri has one of the elite offenses in the country. Nationally, they rank fourth in yards per game, seventh in points per game, and third in rushing. Speaking of running the ball—Ahmad Hardy has been the focal point of this offense and is, in my opinion, the best running back in the country this year. Defensively, this Tigers group has also been strong: second in yards allowed per game, tenth in passing defense, and first against the run. This is a good football team that’s flown under the radar because of the conference they play in and the schools they share it with. On Saturday morning, they’ll welcome one of the hottest teams in the nation to town.
Alabama X-Factor: Justin Jefferson
Yes, there is another player with the same name as the Minnesota Vikings star—but this Justin is a linebacker for the Crimson Tide. This season, he’s truly emerged as a leader on this defense. He’s a tackling machine and currently leads the team in tackles. What I respect most is his instincts—no matter where he is on the field, he somehow always finds himself around the ball. On Saturday, Justin will need to be at his absolute best against this potent Missouri offense.
Missouri X-Factor: Dante McClellan
He’s been a difference-maker for this defense in 2025. Dante has consistently shown the ability to make tackles, cover ground, and disrupt plays. As a linebacker, instinct and awareness are critical—and at 6’2″, he has the speed to close in and finish tackles. Dante also has quick hands and knows how to shed blocks to get where he needs to be. His awareness and ball-hawking ability will be key to slowing down Alabama’s offensive attack.
Final Thoughts:
Week seven of college football is here, and in just a few weeks, we’ll see the first set of playoff rankings. Both of these teams are trending upward—Alabama has won four straight since dropping the opener to Florida State, and Missouri is off to an undefeated start. This will be my first time seeing Ahmad Hardy play, and I can’t wait to see what kind of game plan Alabama has to try and stop him. The first key for the Tide is controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. The offensive line must give Ty Simpson time in the pocket, and defensively, the front seven must step up to limit Hardy’s touches. Next, they must protect Ty at all costs—this Missouri defensive front, led by Damon Wilson, is stingy. Alabama can neutralize that attack by getting the ball out quickly. Lastly, they need to exploit Missouri’s secondary. I’d look to create mismatches with Ryan Williams throughout the game. For Missouri, the question is: can they force turnovers? Alabama has only turned the ball over once all season. But if Missouri can get pressure up the middle and force off-balance or rushed throws, there’s a chance. On offense, they need to establish the run and make sure Hardy gets his touches. Defensively, they must stay disciplined and tackle well in space. I like Alabama to win their fifth consecutive game.
