Eye on the Tigers

Episode 43 • South Carolina is not the SEC East force some suspected. Can Mizzou take advantage?

The Tigers are back in action after their bye week, and headed toward a huge road game against the Gamecocks.

In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter and sports columnist Ben Frederickson preview the matchup.

The two discuss injuries to both teams, what Mizzou had to improve on during the bye week and why the Tigers should win this game.

Also discussed are big-picture topics like third-year coach Barry Odom's job security, Mizzou's interest in a graduate transfer quarterback and the commitment of Tigers basketball target E.J. Liddell to Ohio State.

Episode 42 • The Missouri football team learned something in its two-touchdown loss to No. 2 Georgia. If it cleans things up, it can play with any team in the SEC East. Two of the biggest threats to the Tigers, South Carolina and Kentucky, clash this weekend during Mizzou's bye week. Mizzou fans should be watching that game.

In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, sports columnist Ben Frederickson and Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter reflect on the Georgia loss, debate the game's controversial calls and non-calls, and look ahead to the South Carolina game.

They also catch listeners up to speed on Mizzou basketball and recruiting as Cuonzo Martin's Tigers start practice this week.

Episode 41 • The second-ranked Georgia Bulldogs are averaging 45 points per game and have allowed a total of 24 points in three blowout wins.

Do the Tigers have a chance on Saturday?

In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter and sports columnist Ben Frederickson break down the Tigers' too-close-for-comfort win at Purdue and discuss the likelihood of an upset against Kirby Smart's powerhouse UGA team.

Can the Mizzou defense bounce back after the Boilermakers set records through the air? Can quarterback Drew Lock turn this into a shootout? It might be the Tigers' only chance.

Episode 40 • The Missouri football team departs for its first road trip of the season with revenge on the mind, and a 3-0 record up for grabs.

In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter and sports columnist Ben Frederickson prepare for their road trip to West Lafayette, compare playlist notes for the drive and break down the Tigers' hot start compared to the Boilermakers' awful one.

Can Mizzou get the ground game going? What happened to that Purdue team that beat Mizzou 35-3 last season? Matter and Frederickson make their predictions for the game, and Matter issues an on-the-record apology to country music star and Mizzou fan David Nail.

The two also revisit their previous podcast with Purdue beat writer Mike Carmin.

Episode 39 • The Cowboys are coming, and it could get nasty. The weather, that is.

Heavy rainfall is expected when the Missouri football team hosts Wyoming on Saturday as the Tigers look to improve to 2-0 for the first time in head coach Barry Odom's career.

In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter and sports columnist Ben Frederickson welcome award-winning Wyoming beat writer Robert Gagliardi of WyoSportsNet.com to preview all things Pokes.

It's a reunion of sorts for Gagliardi and Frederickson, who once covered the Cowboys together during former Mizzou offensive coordinator Dave Christensen's days as UW head coach.

After Frederickson and Matter break down Mizzou's season-opening win against UT-Martin, the three preview Craig Bohl's Cowboys (1-1) and why they will be motivated after a loss to Washington State. The good news for Mizzou is running back Nico Evans is doubtful for the game. The bad news is the weather could play in Wyoming's favor.

Go to www.stltoday.com/podcasts to hear previous episodes

Episode 38 • The college football season is finally here, and on the latest Eye on the Tigers podcast, columnist Ben Frederickson and Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter dive deep into the Tigers season-opening depth chart and gain insight from one of the SEC’s most decorated players.

Mizzou kicks off its season Saturday against Tennessee-Martin as new coordinator Derek Dooley breaks out his offense and quarterback Drew Lock launches what Mizzou hopes is a Heisman Trophy-worthy season. SEC Network analyst Barrett Jones, a former two-time All-American offensive lineman and three-time national champion at Alabama, joins the podcast to reminisce about his memorable appearance on Faurot Field and share his thoughts on Missouri’s chances in the SEC East this year. (Hint: He’s bullish on the Tigers.) He’s also got plenty of recommendations for Mizzou fans planning to visit Tuscaloosa for the Tigers’ Oct. 13 visit to Alabama. ​

Episode 37 -- Can Kentucky break through the big blue ceiling?

Episode 36 -- This fall, the Missouri football team will take a trip to a foreign football land, where a head coach can be found in statue form outside of the stadium while he's still storming the sideline.

Yes, we are talking about Tuscaloosa.

In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, sports columnist Ben Frederickson and Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter welcome in Alabama beat writer Michael Casagrande of AL.com to catch listeners up on all things Crimson Tide.

From Alabama's brewing quarterback controversy, to a potential weakness in Saban's defense, to a BBQ tip, the conversation prepares you for Mizzou's first game against Alabama to be played in T-Town.

Episode 35 -- No one is laughing at Will Muschamp these days.

The former Florida coach has found a much better fit at South Carolina, where his Gamecocks are picked to finish second in the SEC East behind Georgia this season, after a 9-4 (5-3 SEC) finish last year that concluded with a defeat of Michigan in the Outback Bowl.

In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter and sports columnist Ben Frederickson are joined by Josh Kendall of The State newspaper to discuss what has gone right for third-year coach Muschamp.

Is junior quarterback Jake Bentley worthy of Heisman hype? How will the return of sensational play-maker Deebo Samuel change the offense? Does this game between Columbia teams have any chance of becoming a rivalry? And what the heck is Steve Spurrier up to these days?

This episode covers it all to make you the smartest Mizzou football fan at your tailgate this fall.

Episode 36 -- This fall, the Missouri football team will take a trip to a foreign football land, where a head coach can be found in statue form outside of the stadium while he's still storming the sideline.

Yes, we are talking about Tuscaloosa.

In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, sports columnist Ben Frederickson and Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter welcome in Alabama beat writer Michael Casagrande of AL.com to catch listeners up on all things Crimson Tide.

From Alabama's brewing quarterback controversy, to a potential weakness in Saban's defense, to a BBQ tip, the conversation prepares you for Mizzou's first game against Alabama to be played in T-Town.