Ahead of a top-25 matchup vs. Boston College, Missouri got some great injury news about young tight end Brett Norfleet.
The Missouri football team is set to face its toughest challenge of the season this weekend as they take on the No. 24 Boston College Eagles at home. Fortunately, they’ll welcome back a vital player: tight end Brett Norfleet.
Norfleet, who missed last week’s match against Buffalo, is expected to return for this highly anticipated game, as reported by ESPN college football journalist Pete Thamel.
“Sources: Missouri anticipates the return of star sophomore tight end Brett Norfleet for the game against No. 24 Boston College,” Thamel shared on X, formerly Twitter. “Norfleet was sidelined last week after suffering a shoulder injury in the opener against Murray State.”
Standing at 6 feet 7 inches, Norfleet is a significant target for senior quarterback Brady Cook. Last season, he recorded 18 receptions for 197 yards and 3 touchdowns, earning him All-SEC freshman first-team recognition. However, due to his injury this season, he has managed only one catch for four yards.
No. 6 Missouri a College Football Playoff contender
If the Tigers hope to contend for the Southeastern Conference (SEC) title and the College Football Playoff, Norfleet would be an invaluable asset in achieving those objectives. Last season, he was fifth on the team in both receptions and receiving yards, and third in receiving touchdowns.
Currently, Missouri is ranked sixth in the Associated Press (AP) poll, just behind other SEC teams like Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Ole Miss, as well as Ohio State, whom the Tigers defeated in the Cotton Bowl at the end of last season. However, maintaining their high ranking will be a challenge for Missouri.
This weekend, the Tigers will face their first top-25 challenge against Boston College, which recently upset Florida State in its season opener. Starting next week, Missouri will begin SEC play with Vanderbilt, who also won their opening game against Virginia Tech, before heading to College Station to take on Texas A&M. After a midseason non-conference matchup at UMass, Missouri will face Auburn, Alabama, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Mississippi State, concluding the regular season at home against Arkansas.
While navigating the SEC is always difficult, Missouri has a strong chance of making it into the expanded College Football Playoff (CFP) this season. For the first time, 12 teams will qualify for the playoffs, which should give Missouri some confidence, even if they lose one or two games during SEC play.
Missouri and Boston College are scheduled to kick off at 12:45 p.m. ET / 11:45 a.m. CT tomorrow.
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