SEC Football: The game each SEC East team must win
By Ronald Evans
Missouri Tigers – The wheels have not spun off for Eli Drinkwitz at Missouri, but they are wobbly. In two seasons, the Tigers are a game under .500 with Drinkwitz. Improvement must be shown. At the least, Missouri needs seven wins. Apparent wins in the 2022 season number only four.
To get to seven, the Tigers need to upset Kansas State in week two of the season.
Florida Gators – Billy Napier will need time in Gainesville and he will get it. In that context, Napier does not need a ‘big win’ in 2022. The Gators need to be competitive with Tennessee and Kentucky.
The must-wins are two of Missouri, LSU and South Carolina. Otherwise, it is hard to see the Gators improving over 2021’s 6-win record.
Kentucky Wildcats – A repeat 10-win season is a tough challenge for Mark Stoops. After Kentucky won 10 in 2018, 8-win and 5-win seasons followed. A slight dip to 9 wins in 2022 would be acceptable.
The Cats are not likely to get to nine wins without a victory over South Carolina at home in early October.