Eye on the Tigers

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 • The Kentucky football team has beaten South Carolina in each of the past four seasons. The Wildcats have also taken down the Mizzou Tigers in each of the past three seasons. Yet, after back-to-back seven-win seasons under sixth-year head coach Mark Stoops, the Wildcats are picked to finish fifth in the division, behind both the Gamecocks and Tigers. What gives? In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, Kentucky beat writer Jen Smith of the Lexington-Herald Leader joins columnist Ben Frederickson and Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter to break down UK's chances at breaking through the big blue ceiling like star running Benny Snell Jr. sheds tackles. A big win against Florida in Week 2 would certainly help.

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 34 -- Missouri senior Drew Lock is not the only SEC quarterback in the way-too-early Heisman conversation. Georgia sophomore QB Jake Fromm will bring a loaded Bulldogs team to Faurot Field on September 22 for a clash of noted QBs. Under third-year Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart, UGA is coming off a 13-2 (7-1 SEC) season that left a passionate fanbase wanting even more. Winning the SEC championship was a big deal. Losing the national championship to SEC rival Alabama was, too. In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, columnist Ben Frederickson and Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter welcome in long-time Georgia beat writer Chip Towers to preview all things Georgia. If there's a chance for a Mizzou upset, it starts with an inexperienced (for a national championship contender) defense that will meet Lock and his loaded offense relatively early in the season.

Episode 33 • In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, columnist Ben Frederickson and Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter welcome in Mike Carmin of the Lafayette Journal and Courier to preview all things Purdue football. Sorry, Mizzou football fans. Jeff Brohm is back. Perhaps the strongest statement a resurgent Purdue football program made last season came in its 35-3 romp over the Tigers at Memorial Stadium. From there, the first-year Boilermakers coach steered his team to a 7-6 season and a win against Arizona in the Foster Farms Bowl. In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, columnist Ben Frederickson and Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter prepare Tigers' return trip to West Lafayette. A stout defense needs the offense to ascend, and a quarterback competition stirs.

Episode 32 • Fortunately, for the Missouri football team, former Wyoming star quarterback Josh Allen is now the NFL's problem. But a potent defense remains. Is there a chance fifth-year UW coach Craig Bohl's Cowboys, winner of eight games and champions of the Idaho Potato Bowl last season, could cause trouble in Columbia on September 8? In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter and columnist Ben Frederickson preview all things Cowboys with Brandon Foster of the Casper Star-Tribune. Foster, a St. Louis native and graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism, offers his vantage point as a former Mizzou beat writer and current chronicler of all things Cowboys. Who attempts to fill Allen's shoes? Who are the Missouri natives to know on UW's team? How did a defense that returns most of its stars force a whopping 38 turnovers last season? The trio hits on all of these topics and much more during the first installment in a series of opponent previews that will prepare Mizzou fans for each FBS game the Tigers play this season.

Episode 31 • Missouri football coaches have said that convincing star defensive tackle Terry Beckner Jr. to return for his senior season was, without a doubt, their biggest recruiting win of the offseason. Beckner passed on the NFL draft and came back for what he believes will be a special final season. He needs some starpower to emerge around him for that hope to become reality. In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, sports columnist Ben Frederickson and Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter break down Barry Odom's baby, a defense that features new coaches and one clear goal: regain the SEC's respect.

Episode 30 • The stat that matters most will always be the win. That's the message from new Mizzou offensive coordinator Derek Dooley and senior quarterback Drew Lock as they prepare to enter their first and last season together. The Tigers put up eye-popping yards and points against subpar opponents under former offensive coordinator Josh Heupel, but Dooley has shifted the focus to a more-balanced attack he believes will fare better against SEC competition. In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, sports columnist Ben Frederickson and Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter preview the loaded roster Dooley inherited, and discuss how the first-time play-caller will try to make the most out of Lock's last season

Episode 29 • Robin Pingeton isn't just Missouri's women's basketball coach. In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter and columnist Ben Frederickson preview Matter's Mother's Day feature on Pingeton, which introduces readers to the coach's world off the court. The two also discuss Pingeton's team, and the Villanova influence she believes will help make the most out of star player Sophie Cunningham's senior season. Check out Matter's story in Sunday's Post-Dispatch, and don't forget to subscribe to the Eye on the Tigers podcast.

Episode 28 • Is eight too optimistic? What would fewer than seven say about the direction of third-year Missouri football coach Barry Odom's program? In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter and sports columnist Ben Frederickson talk wins. How many should be expected from the Tigers in 2018? After previewing four former Tigers' chances in the NFL Draft, the two go deep on the Tigers' fast-approaching football schedule, pointing out the must-wins and potential potholes along the way.

Episode 27 • The question remains unanswered. Which college will Courtney Ramey pick? Webster Groves' star point guard will play somewhere next season, but he has not yet announced where. The Tigers remain in the mix, along with Louisville, Texas and others. In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter and sports columnist Ben Frederickson break down the Ramey recruitment, and what his commitment would mean for Mizzou. The two also discuss Jontay Porter's looming decision about the NBA, the Tigers' current scholarship situation and the shot Jeremiah Tilmon has been tinkering with this offseason. Then the conversation turns to football. The two discuss their spring impressions of Barry Odom's football team. How good should this offense be? Who are some new players to watch moving forward?

Episode 26 — "Bring it on." If Sophie Cunningham had to slap a three-word label on her upcoming senior season, this would be the phrase. Fortunately, the star of Missouri's ascendant women's basketball program got to go long on her goals for the 2018-19 campaign when she joined the Eye on the Tigers podcast. The two-time AP All-America honorable mention and two-time first-team All-SEC star joined Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter and sports columnist Ben Frederickson to discuss her reflections on her junior season, the state of Mizzou's red-hot rot rivalry with South Carolina, her polarizing style of play, her relationship with coach Robin Pingeton, and — most importantly — her big plans for her final go round.

Episode 25 -- Time for spring cleaning. In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, Post-Dispatch sports columnist Ben Frederickson and Mizzou beat writer Dave Mave Matter pack up the basketball season. How should the Michael Porter Jr. era be remembered now that he has declared for NBA draft and hired an agent? What are the chances Jontay follows in his big brother's one-and-done footsteps? Where do the Tigers stand on the recruitment of Webster Groves star guard Courtney Ramey, and what's up with Illinois transfer and Edwardsville native Mark Smith? Matter and Frederickson also hit on spring football and the hot start of the Mizzou baseball team.

Episode 24 -- It’s the best the league has looked in years, and the tournament is coming to The Lou for the first time ever. In this edition of the Eye on the Tigers podcast, Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter and columnist Ben Frederickson break down every angle of the tournament. The two make their picks for the winner, and debate if Michael Porter Jr. will play.