The No. 24 Missouri Tigers may be without their starting signal-caller when they welcome the Oklahoma Sooners to Faurot Field this Saturday night. According to sources close to the program, quarterback Brady Cook is not expected to suit up due to lingering ankle and wrist injuries that have forced him out of the team’s previous two contests.
Cook, a redshirt junior, has been a fixture under center for the Tigers since the start of the 2022 season. His likely absence would snap a remarkable streak of 35 consecutive starts, a testament to both his talent and toughness. Now, as Mizzou prepares for a marquee matchup against their former Big 12 rival, they may have to turn to an experienced backup to lead the charge.
Pyne Steps Into the Spotlight
Enter Drew Pyne, the veteran understudy who appears poised to make his first start in a Missouri uniform. A graduate transfer from Notre Dame, Pyne brings a wealth of experience to the quarterback room. During his time with the Fighting Irish and a brief stint at Arizona State, he compiled an impressive 8-3 record as a starter.
While Pyne may lack the dynamic playmaking ability of Cook, his poise and leadership could prove invaluable against an Oklahoma defense that ranks among the best in the nation. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz will likely lean on his backup’s game management skills, as well as a potent rushing attack, to keep the chains moving and the Sooners’ offense off the field.
A Rivalry Renewed
Saturday’s showdown marks the first meeting between these former conference foes since 2021, when the Sooners edged the Tigers in a 38-35 thriller in Columbia. The stakes are high once again, as both teams jockey for position in the crowded Big 12 standings.
“It’s always a battle when these two teams get together,” remarked an anonymous Missouri staffer. “Losing Brady hurts, but we have faith in Drew to step up and lead us to victory. This rivalry means too much to let one injury define the outcome.”
For Oklahoma, the opportunity to face a wounded Tigers squad could prove pivotal in their quest for a College Football Playoff berth. However, head coach Brent Venables knows better than to underestimate an opponent, especially one as talented and well-coached as Missouri.
A Season on the Brink
As kickoff approaches, the eyes of the college football world will be fixed on Faurot Field. Can Drew Pyne rise to the occasion and keep Missouri’s championship aspirations alive? Or will Oklahoma’s vaunted defense prove too much for the Tigers’ offense to handle?
One thing is certain: the stakes have never been higher for these two storied programs. With conference supremacy and playoff implications on the line, Saturday night promises to be a battle for the ages – regardless of who lines up under center for the home team.
