3x3: Week One Missouri Football, SEC, and National College Football

Each week I'll take a gander at three interesting things each in the Mizzou matchup, in the SEC, and around the nation. I'll try to hit some under-the-rader things too ...

- **New-look offense gets its first test**: Missouri's offense will look much different in 2023 under new offensive coordinator Kirby Moore. The Tigers will move to a more up-tempo, spread attack that will feature a lot of RPOs and designed quarterback runs. It will be interesting to see how the offense performs in its first game against Louisiana Tech.

- **Can the defense get stops?**: Missouri's defense was one of the worst in the country in 2022, allowing 38.9 points per game. The Tigers will need to improve significantly on that side of the ball in 2023 if they want to be successful.

3x3: Week One Missouri Football, SEC, and National College Football

- **The return of Connor Bazelak**: Connor Bazelak is back at Missouri after spending the 2022 season at Indiana. Bazelak was a solid starter for the Tigers in 2020 and 2021, and he will be counted on to lead the offense in 2023.

- **Alabama opens as a big favorite**: Alabama is a 28-point favorite in its season opener against Utah State. The Crimson Tide are the preseason No. 1 team in the country, and they will be looking to make a statement in their first game.

- **Georgia-Florida rivalry renewed**: The Georgia-Florida rivalry is one of the most heated in college football. The two teams will meet in Jacksonville on October 29th, and the game is sure to be a sellout.

- **New coaches in the SEC**: There are four new head coaches in the SEC in 2023: Hugh Freeze at Auburn, Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss, Billy Napier at Florida, and Steve Sarkisian at Texas. It will be interesting to see how these new coaches perform in their first seasons in the SEC.

- **Ohio State-Notre Dame matchup highlights Week One**: The Ohio State-Notre Dame matchup is one of the most anticipated games of the 2023 season. The two teams are both ranked in the top 10, and the game will be played in Columbus, Ohio.

- **Oklahoma-Nebraska rivalry renewed**: The Oklahoma-Nebraska rivalry is one of the most storied in college football. The two teams will meet in Lincoln, Nebraska on September 16th, and the game is sure to be a sellout.

- **New playoff format debuts**: The College Football Playoff will expand to 12 teams in 2024. The new format will give more teams a chance to compete for a national championship.