Late night, so I'm going to make this quick. I'll have a column in the morning about the status of Missouri's running game and the concern surrounding it, and I'll have the Post Script up tomorrow night after I get back to Kansas City.
-- This defense has a chance to be really good. Most TFLs in a game since 2002 (16 against Texas A&M, per Tom Orf). Charles Harris and Kentrell Brothers may end the season as two of the best players at their positions in the SEC (and Brothers may establish himself as one of the best LBs in the nation). So, if the defense continues to play well, that takes some burden off the offense and brings the team to a similar situation as last season.
-- THAT BEING SAID the running game is by far the biggest concern. Pinkel was noticeably agitated about it after the game, both the ineffectiveness and the injuries at the position. More agitated than any offensive issues last season. He said they may have to look at the freshmen (Ryan Williams and Marquise Doherty), as well. If Missouri's offense wants to go conservative and lean on the defense, the running game has to improve -- and the RBs have to get healthy.
-- I do think the passing game is very close to clicking, if they can avoid the drops and the forced throws by Mauk. Leftwich said he thought they could have had 400 yards if not for some drops tonight. I don't know if they would have had that much, but the numbers would have looked a lot better. Receivers were open. Drops killed them.
That's all I have right now. More content tomorrow.
-- This defense has a chance to be really good. Most TFLs in a game since 2002 (16 against Texas A&M, per Tom Orf). Charles Harris and Kentrell Brothers may end the season as two of the best players at their positions in the SEC (and Brothers may establish himself as one of the best LBs in the nation). So, if the defense continues to play well, that takes some burden off the offense and brings the team to a similar situation as last season.
-- THAT BEING SAID the running game is by far the biggest concern. Pinkel was noticeably agitated about it after the game, both the ineffectiveness and the injuries at the position. More agitated than any offensive issues last season. He said they may have to look at the freshmen (Ryan Williams and Marquise Doherty), as well. If Missouri's offense wants to go conservative and lean on the defense, the running game has to improve -- and the RBs have to get healthy.
-- I do think the passing game is very close to clicking, if they can avoid the drops and the forced throws by Mauk. Leftwich said he thought they could have had 400 yards if not for some drops tonight. I don't know if they would have had that much, but the numbers would have looked a lot better. Receivers were open. Drops killed them.
That's all I have right now. More content tomorrow.
