Entering the 2023 season, everybody and their mother knew about the expectations for this Missouri defense.
After all, the unit was fresh off a season in which it allowed 25 points per game, held teams to a meager 125.5 rushing yards per game, forced 16 turnovers and allowed a 43.41% 3rd down conversion rate. That all came in defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s first season at the helm.
How could they possibly top those numbers? Well, a good start would be returning eight starters from that vaunted defense, and that was exactly what happened. Baker only lost Isaiah McGuire, DJ Coleman and Martez Manuel from the ‘22 unit, and an influx of talent from the transfer portal seemed to be capable of offsetting those losses.