After most games, I'll do a separate column and post-game thoughts. Today, just the thoughts. Here are mine:
*There will be two ways to look at this. One way is to focus on the fact that Missouri came out of the gates focused and ended any hope whatsoever of an upset by going touchdown, stop, touchdown, stop, touchdown in the opening 12 minutes. It was 21-0 with 3:10 to go in the first quarter and this game was 100% over. The other way is to focus on the fact that SEMO had never scored a touchdown against Missouri in four previous meetings and they scored four in the final 20 minutes, including three in the fourth quarter. Which you choose to focus on I think depends on your approach as a fan. Those who tend to focus on the good things will focus on the first three quarters. Those who tend to let the problems be at the front of their minds will focus on the fourth.
At the end of the third quarter: 52-7, SEMO had run for 109 yards and had 156 total yards.
Fourth quarter: SEMO scored 21 points, ran for 185 yards and had 217 in total offense
*Personally, I think the first three quarters are more important for one very simple reason: Those are the ones that were played by the guys who will be on the field for the important parts of every game going forward. Missouri's starting offense dominated. Its starting defense was certainly much better than SEMO's offense (156 total yards, 7 points through three quarters). Then they started handing out participation ribbons in the fourth quarter and SEMO put up some numbers. No offense to any of the guys who played in the fourth quarter, but there's a reason they're in there in the fourth quarter against SEMO and not other times. They might end up being very good players, but they aren't there yet.
*I think this game also serves as a good lesson for the "Why don't we give the young guys a look, what can it hurt?" crowd. The coaches are playing the best players on both sides of the ball. Today proved that. They may need better players for sure, but those players aren't on the roster and just sitting behind guys that aren't as good.
*Both backup quarterbacks looked good. Based on the fact he played first, I'm guessing Brady Cook would be the guy if Connor Bazelak went down. I assume everyone will talk more about Tyler Macon because he had a long touchdown (55 of those 65 yards were on JJ Hester being real fast) and because he was more highly rated coming out of high school. And Macon looked good. But he didn't look any better than Cook. If Cook was No. 2 coming in--and based on the fact he played first, I assume he was--he is No. 2 coming out. I was a little surprised Cook didn't get one more series.
*Minus the one series where I think he banged his hand or elbow or something on someone's helmet, Bazelak looked fantastic. He was also throwing to receivers that were more open than the ones he usually throws to in practice...which is why I don't want to put too much stock in the backup QB's performances either. SEMO couldn't cover any of Missouri's guys.
*I think Michael Cox is the third running back until he proves he isn't. Again, fourth quarter, garbage time against SEMO I'm not going to put too much on it, but he looked better than Dawson Downing or BJ Harris on their limited carries and if we're being honest, he was quite a bit more productive than Elijah Young. He's not going to be a star, but he can help this team I think.
*Good to see some of the young receivers get more involved. Dominic Lovett and Mookie Cooper got loose a little. JJ Hester came up with a big play. Boo Smith got his first TD catch. And every time I see Chance Luper, I just think he looks like an SEC receiver. Really think that kid's gonna be good. Wouldn't be surprised to see him (and maybe Lovett too) grab a starting role this season.
*Defensively, not much more to say. It was better for most of the day, but it should be better for most of the day. If there's a concern, I'd say only four tackles for a loss and one QB hurry. We thought Trajan Jeffcoat and Kobie Whiteside would be leaders of this line and frankly I didn't hear either of their names today. Did Mekhi Wingo play? I didn't notice him if he did (don't mean that as an insult, just honestly not sure if he was out there).
*Next week will be more of a test but not an insurmountable one by any means. As Kentucky proved today, what happened last week doesn't impact this week. What happened this week doesn't matter next week. I said before the season the goal was to split Kentucky and BC and come back home for that three-game stretch sitting 3-1. Missouri has a chance to do it. I'm going to guess they're a one-point underdog at BC next weekend.
*There will be two ways to look at this. One way is to focus on the fact that Missouri came out of the gates focused and ended any hope whatsoever of an upset by going touchdown, stop, touchdown, stop, touchdown in the opening 12 minutes. It was 21-0 with 3:10 to go in the first quarter and this game was 100% over. The other way is to focus on the fact that SEMO had never scored a touchdown against Missouri in four previous meetings and they scored four in the final 20 minutes, including three in the fourth quarter. Which you choose to focus on I think depends on your approach as a fan. Those who tend to focus on the good things will focus on the first three quarters. Those who tend to let the problems be at the front of their minds will focus on the fourth.
At the end of the third quarter: 52-7, SEMO had run for 109 yards and had 156 total yards.
Fourth quarter: SEMO scored 21 points, ran for 185 yards and had 217 in total offense
*Personally, I think the first three quarters are more important for one very simple reason: Those are the ones that were played by the guys who will be on the field for the important parts of every game going forward. Missouri's starting offense dominated. Its starting defense was certainly much better than SEMO's offense (156 total yards, 7 points through three quarters). Then they started handing out participation ribbons in the fourth quarter and SEMO put up some numbers. No offense to any of the guys who played in the fourth quarter, but there's a reason they're in there in the fourth quarter against SEMO and not other times. They might end up being very good players, but they aren't there yet.
*I think this game also serves as a good lesson for the "Why don't we give the young guys a look, what can it hurt?" crowd. The coaches are playing the best players on both sides of the ball. Today proved that. They may need better players for sure, but those players aren't on the roster and just sitting behind guys that aren't as good.
*Both backup quarterbacks looked good. Based on the fact he played first, I'm guessing Brady Cook would be the guy if Connor Bazelak went down. I assume everyone will talk more about Tyler Macon because he had a long touchdown (55 of those 65 yards were on JJ Hester being real fast) and because he was more highly rated coming out of high school. And Macon looked good. But he didn't look any better than Cook. If Cook was No. 2 coming in--and based on the fact he played first, I assume he was--he is No. 2 coming out. I was a little surprised Cook didn't get one more series.
*Minus the one series where I think he banged his hand or elbow or something on someone's helmet, Bazelak looked fantastic. He was also throwing to receivers that were more open than the ones he usually throws to in practice...which is why I don't want to put too much stock in the backup QB's performances either. SEMO couldn't cover any of Missouri's guys.
*I think Michael Cox is the third running back until he proves he isn't. Again, fourth quarter, garbage time against SEMO I'm not going to put too much on it, but he looked better than Dawson Downing or BJ Harris on their limited carries and if we're being honest, he was quite a bit more productive than Elijah Young. He's not going to be a star, but he can help this team I think.
*Good to see some of the young receivers get more involved. Dominic Lovett and Mookie Cooper got loose a little. JJ Hester came up with a big play. Boo Smith got his first TD catch. And every time I see Chance Luper, I just think he looks like an SEC receiver. Really think that kid's gonna be good. Wouldn't be surprised to see him (and maybe Lovett too) grab a starting role this season.
*Defensively, not much more to say. It was better for most of the day, but it should be better for most of the day. If there's a concern, I'd say only four tackles for a loss and one QB hurry. We thought Trajan Jeffcoat and Kobie Whiteside would be leaders of this line and frankly I didn't hear either of their names today. Did Mekhi Wingo play? I didn't notice him if he did (don't mean that as an insult, just honestly not sure if he was out there).
*Next week will be more of a test but not an insurmountable one by any means. As Kentucky proved today, what happened last week doesn't impact this week. What happened this week doesn't matter next week. I said before the season the goal was to split Kentucky and BC and come back home for that three-game stretch sitting 3-1. Missouri has a chance to do it. I'm going to guess they're a one-point underdog at BC next weekend.
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