thoughts on Mizzou...

[catzacker]

I'm pretty sure Bill is tired of getting clowned by Pinkel (and he has the last 2 years). It helps that Missouri is a solid team, but not a great one. I am certain they are not better than Baylor.

I'll respectfully disagree.  MU’s offense is more balanced.  You have to actually worry about their QB being used in the run game, we didn’t necessarily have to do that with Baylor.  Their defense is ranked 16th’ nationally against the run (Baylor’s is now 76th).  The “mu hasn’t faced teams that want to run” argument is a valid point.  What gives me hope is that we ran for over 4ypc last year (though only 187 total) and turned it over 4 times in Columbia (against a better defense) and managed to keep it within 10.  But our special teams continues to be a joke and our safeties are going to get bad matchups (again) this week.  

[The Manhatter]

Missouri's run D is a legitimate concern, they are pretty good: http://www.cfbstats.com/2011/team/434/rushing/defense/gamelog.html

Statistically, yes, they're a pretty good run defense.  I really don't see any good rushing offenses they've played though.  I don't count OU as a really solid rushing offense and Arizona State is reasonable at best.

They will still give us difficulties running it because they have so much experience up front, size, and depth.  

The problem for them is their back 7 may be the worst in the Big 12 (not named Kansas).  Gatchkar was a big loss in pass defense from the LB spot and they lost two corners with something like 60 career starts between them to graduation.

[kso_FAN]

Missouri's run D is a legitimate concern, they are pretty good: http://www.cfbstats.com/2011/team/434/rushing/defense/gamelog.html

They are, but this is a situation where I think they'll end up selling out a lot on the run, and Snyder will take a chance and go vertical a few times and spend a lot of time out on the edge like he did against Miami.

True. I'm still in the process of breaking down last week's offense and we threw some interesting looks at Baylor. Just in the first half we used a ton of trips looks and some unbalanced formations which I'll talk about this week in _FANalysis.

[The Manhatter]

I'm pretty sure Bill is tired of getting clowned by Pinkel (and he has the last 2 years). It helps that Missouri is a solid team, but not a great one. I am certain they are not better than Baylor.

I'll respectfully disagree.  MU’s offense is more balanced.  You have to actually worry about their QB being used in the run game, we didn’t necessarily have to do that with Baylor.  Their defense is ranked 16th’ nationally against the run (Baylor’s is now 76th).  The “mu hasn’t faced teams that want to run” argument is a valid point.  What gives me hope is that we ran for over 4ypc last year (though only 187 total) and turned it over 4 times in Columbia (against a better defense) and managed to keep it within 10.  But our special teams continues to be a joke and our safeties are going to get bad matchups (again) this week.  

I tend to agree with you but the one thing I'll point out is that Baylor has actually run the ball pretty well against everybody the past two years with the exception of Texas Tech and TCU in 2010 and KSU last week.  I really don't get how Tech did so well in 2010 but I suspect it had to do with Tech getting a big lead and Baylor being forced to pass non stop.  But Baylor has run the ball well on everybody else.  They actually averaged over 200 rushing last year and were averaging over that again this year.

Having said that, I think it has more to do w/ safeties not employing help to defend their explosive pass plays and Griffin's ability to improvise.  

[kso_FAN]

Having said that, I think it has more to do w/ safeties not employing help to defend their explosive pass plays and Griffin's ability to improvise. 

This is definitely true. Granted, I only watched MU in their first half against OU, but they don't put the same type of pressure on the safeties that Baylor does. Baylors bubble screens, slants, and quick outs put a ton of pressure on the safeties to defend sideline to sideline and that is very tough. I really think we can do some things to confuse Franklin and force mistakes that we couldn't do against Baylor. I do understand the concern with Missouri's running game and agree they'll seek more balance than Baylor, but I am glad we won't have to deal with the sideline to sideline passing game. Nor does Missouri try to play at the same ridiculous pace that Baylor does.

[Panjandrum]

I'm pretty sure Bill is tired of getting clowned by Pinkel (and he has the last 2 years). It helps that Missouri is a solid team, but not a great one. I am certain they are not better than Baylor.

I'll respectfully disagree.  MU’s offense is more balanced.  You have to actually worry about their QB being used in the run game, we didn’t necessarily have to do that with Baylor.  Their defense is ranked 16th’ nationally against the run (Baylor’s is now 76th).  The “mu hasn’t faced teams that want to run” argument is a valid point.  What gives me hope is that we ran for over 4ypc last year (though only 187 total) and turned it over 4 times in Columbia (against a better defense) and managed to keep it within 10.  But our special teams continues to be a joke and our safeties are going to get bad matchups (again) this week.  

I tend to agree with you but the one thing I'll point out is that Baylor has actually run the ball pretty well against everybody the past two years with the exception of Texas Tech and TCU in 2010 and KSU last week.  I really don't get how Tech did so well in 2010 but I suspect it had to do with Tech getting a big lead and Baylor being forced to pass non stop.  But Baylor has run the ball well on everybody else.  They actually averaged over 200 rushing last year and were averaging over that again this year.

Having said that, I think it has more to do w/ safeties not employing help to defend their explosive pass plays and Griffin's ability to improvise.  

And the fact that Griffin throws the best looking deep ball I've seen at the collegiate level since, I don't know, Peyton Manning or Ryan Leaf?

(Not kidding.)

[catzacker]

Our safeties, specifically Tyson, are just not fast/quick/whatever you want to call it enough.  Tyson is just miserable.  I mean either he can’t get out of his back pedal quick enough or he just doesn’t understand routes, because he got two facials and all the receiver (granted it was wright) did was just flat run by him even with a 15 yard cushion.  Even the amazing catch wright had was an overthrow, Tyson was beat badly.  MU doesn’t have Alexander to just run down the field and facial Tyson, but TJ Moe will certainly have no trouble working against him.  

[sonofdaxjones]

We must do everything we can to ensure the Hartman aka Burnt Toast is not isolated in the passing game.  He couldn't cover an ant hill.

[The Manhatter]

Having said that, I think it has more to do w/ safeties not employing help to defend their explosive pass plays and Griffin's ability to improvise. 

I really think we can do some things to confuse Franklin and force mistakes that we couldn't do against Baylor. I do understand the concern with Missouri's running game and agree they'll seek more balance than Baylor....Nor does Missouri try to play at the same ridiculous pace that Baylor does.

this.

The difference between our defense right now and our elite defenses in the late 90s-early 2000s is 1) our ability to play man coverage  with our safeties (or, at the very least, free safety.  And that includes being able to pressure near the LOS with those safeties) and 2) tremendous pressure from our defensive ends.  That is really the only difference...we're as good as we were nearly everywhere else.  This is a pretty good defense.  Baylor's personnel and skill still make it difficult for us to defend despite our ability to defend.  They match up better with us than Mizzou.

Thing we got to remember...Franklin doesn't possess near RG3's experience nor his dramatic flair for big play capabilities.  And I don't think Mizzou's OL is more physical than Baylor's.  Baylor's got pretty good line play with Briles and it's a different philosophy not exclusive to the line splits.  

[sonofdaxjones]

I predict mu is going to eat the zone read alive . . . must be able to throw the football.

[CNS]

I predict mu is going to eat the zone read alive . . . must be able to throw the football.

Yes, and to add to that, get rid of it in a timely manner.

[The Manhatter]

I predict mu is going to eat the zone read alive . . . must be able to throw the football.

we'll get ours.  It's much the same personnel that The Chamber ate up in Columbia running the ball last year.  The major difference between Mizzou last year and this year is that they had a much better pass defense in 2010 and an elite pass rusher.

[sonofdaxjones]

That had more to do with the changing of the QB's . . . you probably won't recall but teams that changed QB's that had athletes gave Snyder's best teams fits, I can rattle off numerous games where that was the case during the DOD.

[Panjandrum]

That had more to do with the changing of the QB's . . . you probably won't recall but teams that changed QB's that had athletes gave Snyder's best teams fits, I can rattle off numerous games where that was the case during the DOD.

I'm hoping that an increase in the Wildcat formation run with Pease will have a similar effect.

I was encouraged that we saw that more during Mizzou.  My guess is that in this four game stretch we'll see it a lot more, if for no other reason than to keep Klein alive.

[kso_FAN]

That had more to do with the changing of the QB's . . . you probably won't recall but teams that changed QB's that had athletes gave Snyder's best teams fits, I can rattle off numerous games where that was the case during the DOD.

I'm hoping that an increase in the Wildcat formation run with Pease will have a similar effect.

I was encouraged that we saw that more during Mizzou.  My guess is that in this four game stretch we'll see it a lot more, if for no other reason than to keep Klein alive.

And Pease being healthy.

Honestly, with the way he ran the ball Saturday, I'd like to see more Pease in the regular package; both in spread gun and 2 back formations. I think Pease hitting the edge on the stretch read could lead to some bigger plays, especially if MU gameplans like Baylor to force Klein to give.

I'm hopeful Pease has only been limited so far because he missed time with injury and we'll see him for more than just Wildcat play calls.

[_33]

What about that weird reverse play they kept doing? We couldn't stop it!! We need to scheme up a way to stop it or Mizzou will do it too I think.

[The Manhatter]

What about that weird reverse play they kept doing? We couldn't stop it!! We need to scheme up a way to stop it or Mizzou will do it too I think.

we're not worried about reverses.  We're savvy at both corner spots, having LBs who can run, Defensive ends that don't get up field too hard, and experienced safeties.  We're not overly pre-occupied w/ that fluff stuff.

[_33]

Well, they had like 4 big plays on them. So...I'm right.

[The Manhatter]

Well, they had like 4 big plays on them. So...I'm right.

ok.

[Bookcat]

what if Baylor is just that effin' good on offense and our D is better than the points and yards we gave up? I'd like to think so.

THe score is going to be lower against MU because MU will have a slower offensive pace....and we have the SchemeDoc.

[kso_FAN]

what if Baylor is just that effin' good on offense and our D is better than the points and yards we gave up? I'd like to think so.

THe score is going to be lower against MU because MU will have a slower offensive pace....and we have the SchemeDoc.

Plus I think we'll play better offensively, I don't think we played really well on offense vs Baylor. Part of that was Baylor, but we made plenty of mistakes too.

[06wildcat]

That had more to do with the changing of the QB's . . . you probably won't recall but teams that changed QB's that had athletes gave Snyder's best teams fits, I can rattle off numerous games where that was the case during the DOD.

I'm hoping that an increase in the Wildcat formation run with Pease will have a similar effect.

I was encouraged that we saw that more during Mizzou.  My guess is that in this four game stretch we'll see it a lot more, if for no other reason than to keep Klein alive.

And Pease being healthy.

Honestly, with the way he ran the ball Saturday, I'd like to see more Pease in the regular package; both in spread gun and 2 back formations. I think Pease hitting the edge on the stretch read could lead to some bigger plays, especially if MU gameplans like Baylor to force Klein to give.

I'm hopeful Pease has only been limited so far because he missed time with injury and we'll see him for more than just Wildcat play calls.

For the most part, Baylor did an excellent job of playing the zone read inside out, knowing that Hubert wasn't going to consistently get the edge for more than a few yards. I almost wanted Thompson or Lockett to line up in the backfield  on one of those plays just to see what would happen if we ran that with some elite speed.

[I_have_purplewood]

What a great thread.     Makes me feel like kind of a dumb-dumb though. 

Why does Vegas say we lose?

[nicname]

Missouri's run D is a legitimate concern, they are pretty good: http://www.cfbstats.com/2011/team/434/rushing/defense/gamelog.html

They are, but luckily their pass defense is atrocious.  I wouldn't doubt we see The Chamber's first 200 yd game, and we will need it because I think MU will stack for the run.  I think we finally connect on a deep ball or two, most likely in the second half.  I wouldn't doubt we see LHCBS pound the rock all first half, especially if we have the lead or are within a fg or so, then going to the air in the 3rd for the big play. 

[SleepFighter]

what if Baylor is just that effin' good on offense and our D is better than the points and yards we gave up? I'd like to think so.

THe score is going to be lower against MU because MU will have a slower offensive pace....and we have the SchemeDoc.

Plus I think we'll play better offensively, I don't think we played really well on offense vs Baylor. Part of that was Baylor, but we made plenty of mistakes too.

Braden's hold.