COLUMBIA, Mo. - Missouri has spent nearly a year hearing about how tough life on the road is supposed to be in the Southeastern Conference.
Playing on the road against a good defense makes things even tougher.
The Tigers (2-1, 0-1 SEC) hit the road for the first time in their new conference today when they travel to the other Columbia to take on seventh-ranked South Carolina (2:30 p.m, KRCG-TV).
The SEC is known for its defenses, and the Gamecocks fit that stereotype with 12 sacks already this season.It starts with defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who has three sacks and five forced fumbles. Clowney was widely considered the top recruit in the nation in 2011 and has certainly lived up to that billing.
"Great defensive line, great tackles," Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel said. "They're very, very good up front. ... We'll help the line out as much as we can, but certainly you're going to be faced with some one-on-one situations and you have to get it done."
South Carolina (3-0, 1-0 ) ranks sixth nationally in run defense, allowing just 53 yards per game in wins against Vanderbilt, East Carolina and Alabama-Birmingham.