This is a "depends on how you look at it situation"
If you choose to say "why in the world does Missouri come out looking like it doesn't know what time the game starts until it is behind two touchdowns?" I understand that.
If you choose to say "Hey, credit Missouri for righting the ship and getting back in the game before halftime when it looked like it was over" I understand that.
Both are valid and neither is wrong.
Mizzou has been outscored 193-88 in the first quarter against Power Five competition under Eli Drinkwitz. No way to spin that. That's awful. That's just not being prepared. However, the Tigers didn't quit on this day. The defense suddenly starting plays, the offense found some things that worked and they've got a shot.
We've seen some adjustments today. A lot of two-back sets with Cody Schrader and Nate Peat out there. Kibet Chepyator is the only tight end who has seen significant time. Mizzou has also used a lot of sets with six linemen. When Zeke Powell went out, Mitchell Walters stayed at right guard, Connor Wood moved out to right tackle and Armand Membou was the extra linemen.
Defensively, we've seen a lot of five-man fronts playing three defensive tackles. The Tigers also had a look on third and long with Daylan Carnell at deep safety in a 3-3-5.
In other words, Missouri's staff is definitely trying some different things.
Tough to overstate the importance of this half. Mizzou came in and looked like it was ready to let Auburn have its way. But Auburn refused to take advantage of it. Missouri has to close this thing out and win. That didn't seem possible at the start of the second quarter, but given the reprieve they have to take advantage.
If you choose to say "why in the world does Missouri come out looking like it doesn't know what time the game starts until it is behind two touchdowns?" I understand that.
If you choose to say "Hey, credit Missouri for righting the ship and getting back in the game before halftime when it looked like it was over" I understand that.
Both are valid and neither is wrong.
Mizzou has been outscored 193-88 in the first quarter against Power Five competition under Eli Drinkwitz. No way to spin that. That's awful. That's just not being prepared. However, the Tigers didn't quit on this day. The defense suddenly starting plays, the offense found some things that worked and they've got a shot.
We've seen some adjustments today. A lot of two-back sets with Cody Schrader and Nate Peat out there. Kibet Chepyator is the only tight end who has seen significant time. Mizzou has also used a lot of sets with six linemen. When Zeke Powell went out, Mitchell Walters stayed at right guard, Connor Wood moved out to right tackle and Armand Membou was the extra linemen.
Defensively, we've seen a lot of five-man fronts playing three defensive tackles. The Tigers also had a look on third and long with Daylan Carnell at deep safety in a 3-3-5.
In other words, Missouri's staff is definitely trying some different things.
Tough to overstate the importance of this half. Mizzou came in and looked like it was ready to let Auburn have its way. But Auburn refused to take advantage of it. Missouri has to close this thing out and win. That didn't seem possible at the start of the second quarter, but given the reprieve they have to take advantage.
