Ohio State Football: Confidence level against Missouri

Coaching Staff Confidence Level

Ryan Day will be facing several difficult decisions concerning his coaching staff following the conclusion of the Cotton Bowl. Before Day hands out pink slips or informs certain individuals, who are currently on his staff, that they will not be returning next season, he and his staff have a game to win over a Missouri coaching staff whose trajectory is trending upwards.

Missouri, under the leadership and guidance of Eli Drinkwitz, has hovered around .500 for three seasons until this year when the Tigers went 10-2 with their only losses coming against LSU and Georgia. Their only win against a ranked opponent on the season came against #25 Tennessee. Drinkwitz, who spent one season as the head coach of Appalachian State in 2019, has an overall record of 39-22.

One of the more popular coaches on Drinkwitz's staff is Kirby Moore. Moore, a former wide receiver from Boise State, was the offensive coordinator and play caller at Fresno State a season ago before transitioning to Missouri and bringing the Tigers a new lease on life offensively. Missouri went from 370 yards per game and an average of 24.85 points per game in 2022 to 443 yards per game and 34.08 points per contest in 2023.

Jim Knowles and his defensive staff will be in focus once again, as they will be tasked with slowing down a Missouri offense that has been one of the best in the country, allowing Day and his staff enough opportunities to work out any kinks that might prohibit the Ohio State football team from scoring enough points to defeat the Tigers. I believe Knowles will be up to the task. My confidence level in this coaching staff when compared with Missouri is at 6.5.