Mizzou Links, 10-23-08

Dave Christensen talks about the Mizzou offense's struggles:

"The first four series we had one breakdown at one position four different times that put us in situations where we were third-and-long," Christensen said Monday. "The whole game plan was to do things so we wouldn’t be in third-and-long and could execute shorter-distance downs and not put so much pressure on the line for longer" passing "routes."

Against a defensive line frothing at the chance to attack quarterback Chase Daniel, Missouri’s game plan went up in smoke from the start. The offense perked up just before halftime, but by then the outcome was all but settled and the postgame suds were already flowing on Sixth Street.

"We just waited too long to do that," Christensen said.

...

Christensen has heard the prevailing theories on his offense’s soft spot - rush NFL-caliber linemen with the fury of hell and drop everyone else into coverage - and that’s why he regularly self-scouts his offense to make sure his protections are appropriate for the defenses the Tigers face. He’s convinced there’s no magical solution for his system.

"What we’re doing, it’s pretty solid stuff," he said. "It doesn’t matter what you’re doing, if you don’t execute, it’s not going to work. It’s not a matter of scheme, it’s a matter of technique."

Colorado Links!

• PowerMizzou: A Game for the Season ("The Tigers are an easy target right now. They're getting no love. A win over a mostly unimpressive Colorado team on Saturday isn't going to change that. But it's a step in the right direction. The Tigers had a chance to make a major statement last weekend. They failed. The statement they make this Saturday will tell us much more about this team. It will determine their season.")
• Dave Matter: Behind the Numbers
• Boulder Daily Camera: Buffs aim for more than snowball's chance
• Boulder Daily Camera: Buff 'D' faces weekly gauntlet
• Denver Post: CU's man of mystery [RB Rodney Stewart] steps into feature role

Mizzou Defense: back to basics.

Note to Big Head: Maclin's not coming back.  Sorry.  Hope I'm wrong.

Some more Positivity Week recruiting news: 4-star Texas WR Emory Blake has a tentative Columbia visit date set up, 4-star Tulsa RB Jeremy Smith (a soft OSU commit) is still going to give Mizzou a chance to impress him, and...Jheranie Boyd speaks!

Finally, this is what I'm talking about.  Mizzou Volleyball swept Colorado, 25-18, 25-23, 25-17, to move back to 10-10 overall and 4-6 in the Big 12.  Neither team hit tremendously well (Mizzou .161, Colorado .073), both teams had 5 service errors, and the blocking was pretty close (Mizzou 12.5, Colorado 10.0).  But in the end, Mizzou somehow won 17 more points and came away with an easy win.  Next up: trips to Ames and Lawrence.  If they win those two games AND come back home to take care of Texas Tech and Oklahoma, then we can quietly start talking about a tourney run again.  But not until then.  The Missourian has more.