At some point it would be fun to see Missouri start a season playing well, but there's no denying this team is getting better as the year goes on. Saturday wasn't even a contest...and I don't think Missouri's played its best game yet. I thought they actually put together a little bit more of a complete and clean game at Florida. This one was very good, but they can be better.
Let's talk about the young guys that are contributing: Missouri has six true freshmen who have scored touchdowns. Guys like Simi Bakare, who haven't even really gotten a shot, look like good players. Tyree Gillespie is fulfilling the potential the coaches have talked about for two years. Joshuah Bledsoe is showing up. Yes, this team loses some things next year, but it's got a whole lot coming back too.
I know next week is senior day, but I'd sure be tempted to give Ronnell Perkins most of the snaps at weakside linebacker next week. I thought he played pretty well. Brandon Lee has battled injury admirably all season, but Perkins played a ton today and the defense was the best its been. Jarvis Ware also got a lot of second half run (not sure if something happened to Christian Holmes honestly).
Arkansas is a poor football team that is playing for nothing. Next week should be a win. And I'm not here to shame anybody, but Barry Odom challenged the fans to show up after the game. This team deserves it. It's the last chance to see Drew Lock, Emanuel Hall, Kendall Blanton, Terry Beckner, Terez Hall, Paul Adams, Kevin Pendleton, Brandon Lee, Cam Hilton and a lot of guys who came here when it wasn't that popular to do so and stuck out some really rough times to get this program back on the right track. It hasn't reached the top of the mountain, but it's made a lot of progress from the bottom where it was two or three seasons ago. There is hope for the future. There should be eight wins.
Bowl bids: I'm still going with Nashville (Music City) as the most likely because it makes the most sense for getting Mizzou fans there. Tampa (Outback) and Jacksonville (Taxslayer) are possibilities, but I think Auburn and Mississippi State would be more likely to travel to those games and sending Mizzou to Nashville would make the most sense for everyone involved. But obviously we'll have to wait and see.
Photos, video and my postgame story are on the front. Mitchell has a full notebook coming. Grades and snap counts tomorrow. Enjoy the night.
Let's talk about the young guys that are contributing: Missouri has six true freshmen who have scored touchdowns. Guys like Simi Bakare, who haven't even really gotten a shot, look like good players. Tyree Gillespie is fulfilling the potential the coaches have talked about for two years. Joshuah Bledsoe is showing up. Yes, this team loses some things next year, but it's got a whole lot coming back too.
I know next week is senior day, but I'd sure be tempted to give Ronnell Perkins most of the snaps at weakside linebacker next week. I thought he played pretty well. Brandon Lee has battled injury admirably all season, but Perkins played a ton today and the defense was the best its been. Jarvis Ware also got a lot of second half run (not sure if something happened to Christian Holmes honestly).
Arkansas is a poor football team that is playing for nothing. Next week should be a win. And I'm not here to shame anybody, but Barry Odom challenged the fans to show up after the game. This team deserves it. It's the last chance to see Drew Lock, Emanuel Hall, Kendall Blanton, Terry Beckner, Terez Hall, Paul Adams, Kevin Pendleton, Brandon Lee, Cam Hilton and a lot of guys who came here when it wasn't that popular to do so and stuck out some really rough times to get this program back on the right track. It hasn't reached the top of the mountain, but it's made a lot of progress from the bottom where it was two or three seasons ago. There is hope for the future. There should be eight wins.
Bowl bids: I'm still going with Nashville (Music City) as the most likely because it makes the most sense for getting Mizzou fans there. Tampa (Outback) and Jacksonville (Taxslayer) are possibilities, but I think Auburn and Mississippi State would be more likely to travel to those games and sending Mizzou to Nashville would make the most sense for everyone involved. But obviously we'll have to wait and see.
Photos, video and my postgame story are on the front. Mitchell has a full notebook coming. Grades and snap counts tomorrow. Enjoy the night.
