1. I'm writing my postgame column on the decision to go for it on 4th and 1 from his own 34. I know the math guys will say that's the right call and maybe it is the right call. But for a coach who is under fire from his fanbase, whose team has just blown a 21-point lead, that was a line in the sand, balls of steel moment for Barry Odom. And it completely changed the game. Credit Odom for going. Credit Drew Lock for having patience to let somebody get open when the play looked dead. And credit Johnathon Johnson for making the best catch of his career. After that play, Mizzou outscored Memphis 27-3 and may have completely turned its season around. The play reminds me of the one J.D. McCoy made on fourth down in overtime against Middle Tennessee in 2003. Gary Pinkel often referenced that play as one of the most important of his career because of the repercussions that could have come from losing that game.
2. Missouri got more pressure on Brady White in the first quarter of this game than it had on any quarterback all season long. The Tigers did some of it with blitzing, but they did a lot of it with the front four. That was a big, big part of the 21-point lead to start. Akial Byers is getting a lot more time on the field and playing outside some and maybe that makes a big difference.
3. There was a 10 minute stretch where it all looked very bad and Memphis scored 17 straight points. You know what? It's not a video game. The other guys try too. Sometimes that happens. Good teams don't go without facing adversity (unless they are Alabama). Good teams get back up and recover from the adversity. Missouri did in that half. They deserve much credit.
4. If this holds in the second half, I do not want to see "It's only Memphis, who cares? Do it against a real team." Memphis took UCF to the final buzzer last week. Many believed Memphis would win this game. If Missouri runs them out of the stadium, it deserves credit, not reasons why it doesn't count.
5. They should put flags in the players' waistbands for the second half if Adam Sparks can't make the block he made. That was a textbook, how you coach it block. The fact it's a penalty is stupid. I get player safety. But that's a football play all the way.
6. The over under is 69.5. I think the over's gonna hit. By the way, other than Idaho last year (which was transitioning from FBS down to FCS) this is the most points Missouri has scored in a half against an FBS team....EVER
2. Missouri got more pressure on Brady White in the first quarter of this game than it had on any quarterback all season long. The Tigers did some of it with blitzing, but they did a lot of it with the front four. That was a big, big part of the 21-point lead to start. Akial Byers is getting a lot more time on the field and playing outside some and maybe that makes a big difference.
3. There was a 10 minute stretch where it all looked very bad and Memphis scored 17 straight points. You know what? It's not a video game. The other guys try too. Sometimes that happens. Good teams don't go without facing adversity (unless they are Alabama). Good teams get back up and recover from the adversity. Missouri did in that half. They deserve much credit.
4. If this holds in the second half, I do not want to see "It's only Memphis, who cares? Do it against a real team." Memphis took UCF to the final buzzer last week. Many believed Memphis would win this game. If Missouri runs them out of the stadium, it deserves credit, not reasons why it doesn't count.
5. They should put flags in the players' waistbands for the second half if Adam Sparks can't make the block he made. That was a textbook, how you coach it block. The fact it's a penalty is stupid. I get player safety. But that's a football play all the way.
6. The over under is 69.5. I think the over's gonna hit. By the way, other than Idaho last year (which was transitioning from FBS down to FCS) this is the most points Missouri has scored in a half against an FBS team....EVER
