From afar, it appears Missouri’s defense is improved from last season. The Tigers haven’t been blown out like they were during last year’s five-game losing streak and they even held Alabama to a season-low in points.
The Tigers have also benefited from having one defensive coordinator in Ryan Walters, rather than three in 2017 with Walters, DeMontie Cross and coach Barry Odom all sharing duties.
But a look at the numbers paints a slightly different picture. In a lot of ways Missouri’s defense has improved, but it has also regressed in some areas and stayed put at others.