Eye on the Tigers

The college landscape is going to look a lot different this fall, but the past two weeks have shown the Power 5 programs are going to give it a shot when it comes to playing through the pandemic. In this episode of the Eye on the Tigers Podcast, Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter and sports columnist Ben Frederickson discuss the biggest news of the week on the college football front, including player-led groups pushing for protocols, the NCAA's delayed announcement of some of those protocols and a very interesting story out of the Pac 12 Conference that shows at least some leaders are still preparing for the disaster of a canceled fall season.

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The time for happy talk is over. In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, sports columnist Ben Frederickson and Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter discuss the shift college football leaders have made, from crossing their fingers and hoping for the best, to getting real about the changes that will hopefully give the sport its best chance to happen in 2020. What would college sports look like if there is no football season? Frederickson and Matter get into that, and discuss Sophie Cunningham's recent battle with COVID and Mizzou guard Xavier Pinson's NBA Draft decision.

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Wheels are in motion for college football to kick off in 2020, but politics could shape if the season starts on time in certain parts of the country. Post-Dispatch college sports reporter Dave Matter discuss that and more with Sports Illustrated national college football writer Ross Dellenger, who has reported exhaustively about COVID-19’s potential impact on the sport and how schools have decided testing plans for their players this summer. Also, which coaches have done the best job this offseason tackling sensitive issues, like the virus and social justice issues, that have captured the nation’s attention?

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Post-Dispatch Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter is joined by Howard Richards, Mizzou football radio analyst and former Tigers player - who also spent 13 traveling the world for the Central Intelligence Agency - for a candid conversation about the events that have unfolded across the country in recent weeks, from COVID-19 to the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota to the protests that have erupted from coast to coast. Richards shares his thoughts on the Mizzou football team's powerful use of its platform, plus his early impressions on first-year coach Eliah Drinkwitz's efforts in the St. Louis region.

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Move over, rabid boosters and dedicated tailgaters. You have company. In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers Podcast, Post-Dispatch Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter and sports columnist Ben Frederickson update listeners on the latest news regarding college football's return from the coronavirus pandemic, and explain why no group is rooting harder for the sport than the coaches of other sports on each campus. Matter and Frederickson also discuss the rumblings about Missouri basketball guard Xavier Pinson's pending decision about the NBA Draft.

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Will the season start as scheduled? Will there be fans in the stands? In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, sports columnist Ben Frederickson and Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter discuss the conversations that will determine how and when the 2020 college football season will attempt to overcome the coronavirus pandemic. The two also talk the latest in Mizzou football and basketball recruiting.

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Eye on the Tigers Podcast: And then there were two

Chase Daniel vs. Ben Askren. Who will be number one? In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, sports columnist Ben Frederickson and Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter preview the big question remaining on Matter's ranking of the top Tigers he's covered during his time on the beat. The conversation then turns to what should be expected for Mizzou football players in the NFL Draft, along with an update on Mizzou basketball recruiting. Matter and Frederickson close the podcast with a discussion about how the coronavirus pandemic has changed college sports, and how those affects could linger for years to come. 

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Hear the stories behind The List. In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, Post-Dispatch sports columnist Ben Frederickson interviews Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter about "Matters Best of Mizzou", Matter's ongoing ranking of the top-30 Tigers he's covered during his years on the beat. Matter explains how the project started, and gives some behind-the-scenes stories about the interviews he's done for the project, including one about an athlete who didn't agree to the interview until he heard his ranking.​

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Jeremiah Tilmon's foot is still sitting him down. Mark Smith's back is bad. Dru Smith is playing on one healthy ankle. And the Tigers basketball team is struggling. In a disappointing season, signs of promise can be found in sophomore point guard Xavier Pinson and freshman Tray Jackson, who both played well in the Tigers' close loss at No. 25 LSU. In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers Podcast, Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter and sports columnist Ben Frederickson share their thoughts on the young duo before the conversation shifts to football, where Matter traces the origin of new coach Eliah Drinkwitz's staff back to Auburn. Also: Is Mizzou defensive coordinator Ryan Walters a serious candidate for the head coaching job at Colorado? Listen to find out.

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