Eye on the Tigers

Episode 53 • Jeremiah Tilmon has played about 30 minutes in each of the Missouri men's basketball team's past three games combined. That's not going to cut it. How do the Tigers keep their foul-prone sophomore center on the court? In this edition of the E

Episode 52 • The Missouri men's basketball season will have the fanbase's full attention when it begins SEC play with a game against No. 3 Tennessee. In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, sports columnist Ben Frederickson and beat writer Dave Matter put to bed the Tigers' football season, recap the Liberty Bowl loss and break down the SEC hoops landscape. Matter also previews his people on campus to watch in 2019.

Episode 51 • Back from its brief hiatus, the Eye on the Tigers podcast dives into a holiday buffet of topics: National Signing Day, the Braggin' Rights basketball game and the upcoming Liberty Bowl. Sports columnist Ben Frederickson and Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter break down Barry Odom's impressive signing class, from the locals who stayed home to the quarterbacks who changed the outlook for the future. Then the topic turns to hoops, where the duo count all of the reasons the Tigers and Illini have plenty to play for in the Christmas tradition. Finally, Frederickson and Matter preview the Liberty Bowl and make their picks.

Episode 50 • Put on your blue suede shoes, Mizzou. Barry Odom's Tigers will look to secure a nine-win season against Oklahoma State in the Liberty Bowl. In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter and sports columnist Ben Frederickson preview the destination, the opponent and what the Tigers have to gain by beating the Cowboys. The two also preview the commitment of Clemson graduate transfer quarterback Kelly Bryant, discuss Odom's potential extension and break down the Tiger basketball team's overtime win against UCF.​

Episode 49 • Missouri offensive coordinator Derek Dooley's trip to Knoxville's Neyland Stadium on Saturday will mark his first game coached at Rocky Top since the Volunteers fired him as their head coach. In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter and sports columnist Ben Frederickson recap Dooley's Tennessee tenure and examine his impact on Mizzou's offense during his first season calling the plays for the Tigers. The two also give their predictions for the game, and discuss Mizzou basketball's rocky start to the season entering an early-season tournament in the Virgin Islands.

Episode 48 • The Missouri football team won six straight games to close out its regular season last year. After a huge win against 11th-ranked Florida on the road, the Tigers seem poised for another late flourish now. The Tigers (5-4) face Vanderbilt (4-5), Tennessee (4-5) and Arkansas (2-7) to close things out. A nine-win season is still potentially within reach, if you factor in a victorious bowl game. In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, sports columnist Ben Frederickson and Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter break down the Tigers' convincing defeat of Florida and preview the home game against Vanderbilt. What has to go right for the Tigers to finish with a full head of steam? The two also discuss their first impressions of the Mizzou men's basketball team and more.

Episode 47 • Missouri senior quarterback Drew Lock could be down to his final chance to knock off a ranked opponent before he enters the NFL draft. The Tigers, coming off of a brutal loss to No. 12 Kentucky, turn around and face No. 11 Florida on the road. The Gators (6-2) have looked like a different team under new coach Dan Mullen. Can the Tigers shock the Sunshine State? In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter and sports columnist Ben Frederickson recap what went wrong in a disaster of a second half against Kentucky, and what would have to go right for the Tigers to pull off the upset at Florida. The two also discuss the standoff between Mizzou and Evansville regarding transfer guard Dru Smith's request for immediate eligibility.

Episode 46 • Some still think Kentucky is just a basketball school. But the Missouri Tigers have not taken care of the Wildcats since 2014, and this is the best UK team the Tigers have encountered since they entered the SEC. Mark Stoops' team is 6-1 with wins against ranked teams beneath its belt. UK has a nationally-ranked defense and one of the best running backs and pass rushers in the country. Yet, the Tigers are favored by a touchdown at home. In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, beat writer Dave Matter and sports columnist Ben Frederickson try to make sense of that line, and outline how the Tigers could accomplish the task. The two also discuss the ongoing recruitment of Clemson transfer QB Kelly Bryant, the season-ending injury to Jontay Porter and the commitment of Aijha Blackwell.

Episode 45 • Have you heard of Darrell Henderson? The Memphis running back is the nation's leading rusher and leading scorer, and he is coming to CoMo on Saturday with plans to run through Homecoming. Henderson leads FBS backs in rushing yards (1,133), total touchdowns (15) and average yards per carry (10.3). How the Mizzou defense contains him will be a major key to a must-win game. In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter and sports columnist Ben Frederickson break down why Memphis is a major threat to an embattled Mizzou defense. Henderson isn't the only reason. Memphis quarterback Brady White can sling it. The good news? Memphis' defense has been as questionable as Mizzou's.

Episode 44 • There is not much sense in searching for ways the Missouri football team can topple the college football Goliath that is Alabama. It would take the perfect game. Next topic! Good things there are plenty of other issues to discuss. In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter and sports columnist Ben Frederickson take a fine-tooth comb over Mizzou's disappointing loss at South Carolina. Red-zone issues. Self-inflicted mistakes. Confusing play-calling. A defense that can't stop the pass. How can third-year coach Barry Odom get these issues fixed? The two also preview what makes Alabama so unbeatable, and take a snapshot of the improving SEC East.​

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